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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO have downplayed their chances of making a quick return to the Premier Soccer League despite shooting to the top of the Southern Region Division One League table after a 2-1 win over Zim Leopards.

The former PSL side leads the pack after four weekends with 10 points from a possible 12.

Tsholotsho had to fight from a goal down to claim victory. A brace by Tinashe Mthimkhulu cancelled Tambudzai Ngulube’s lead for Zim Leopards.

Joseph Sibindi, Tsholotsho’s coach, dismissed his team’s favourites tag.

“Look, we are just trying to get the team to play well. We are where we are because we don’t have pressure, but we’re playing to compete.

“I must say the boys are playing well, they train hard; mentally they are good and the sponsor has been supportive. At times moral support is ideal,” said Sibindi.

Tsholotsho are on a rebuilding exercise after losing almost their entire squad at the end of last season. Defenders Thando Ncube and Spar Dube are the only players that remained with Tsholotsho after being relegated.

They added attacking midfielder Remmington Masuku, who was with defunct Bantu Rovers, the pair of Tinashe Mthimkhulu and Michael Bhebhe, who are on loan from Chicken Inn, and Obert Malajila, younger brother to national team striker Cuthbert.

Tsholotsho toppled Talen Vision from the summit, after the latter drew 1-1 with new boys CIWU, who were playing their first game of the season. Vision, with eight points from four games, scored through Grey Kufandada, while Gift Gumbo’s strike ensured that CIWU kicked off their campaign with a point.

Ex-Premiership side Hwange moved from position four to three following a 2-0 home win over Bosso 90. Hwange are three points behind Tsholotsho.

Perennial campaigners ZPC Hwange grabbed maximum points on the road, beating Plumtree’s Main Line 1-0. Former Chicken Inn striker Thomas Chimenya scored the solitary goal for the electricity generators.

Rahman Gumbo’s Makomo recorded their first win of the season, beating Mosi Rovers 2-0 courtesy of a brace by Morgan Mungombe. Makomo are in sixth place with five points from three outings.

Makomo can move up the table today in the event that they beat new boys NRZ Leopards in a rescheduled fixture set for Dete this afternoon.

ZRP Bulawayo and CIWU will also play their Week 1 game this afternoon.

Results

Saturday: Casmyn 0-1 Moto Moto (Tatenda Bushe), Indlovu Iyanyathela 0-1 NRZ Leopards (McDonald Furawu), CIWU 1-1 Talen Vision (Gift Gumbo, Grey Kufandada) Makomo 2-0 Mosi Rovers (Morgan Mungombe brace), Hwange 2-0 Bosso 90, Main Line 0-1 ZPC Hwange (Thomas Chimenya)

Sunday: Zim Leopards 1-2 Tsholotsho (Tambudzai Ngulube, Tinashe Mthimkhulu (brace), Toronto 0-1 ZRP Bulawayo Province (Njabulo Sibanda)

Fixtures

Today: NRZ Leopards v Makomo (Dete), ZRP Bulawayo v CIWU (Raylton)

Table

P     W     D     L     F     A     GD     Pts
Tsholotsho     4     3     1     0    5     1     4     10
Talen Vision     4     2     2     0     9     4     5     8
Hwange     4     2     1     1     5     1     4     7
ZPC Hwange     4     1     3     0     2     1     1     6
Mosi Rovers     4     2     0     2     5     7     -2     6
Makomo     3     1     2     0     4     2     2     5
ZRP Bulawayo     2     1     1     0     2     1     1     4
Indlovu Iyanyathela     3     1     1     1     2     2     0     4
NRZ Leopards     1     1     0     0     1     0     1     3
Moto Moto     3     1     0     2     1     2     -1     3
Main Line     3     1     0     2     2     5     -3     3
Casmyn     3     0     2     1     1     2     -1     2
Bosso 90     3     0     2     1     1     3     -2     2
CIWU     1     0     1     0     1     1     0     1
Zim Leopards     4     0     1     3     3     7     -4     1
Toronto     4     0     1     3     0     6     -6     1

@ZililoR