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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
SOUTHERN Region Division One pacesetters Bulawayo Chiefs will be without star player Ishmael Wadi for at least a month due to an injury he sustained in the team’s 3-1 victory over Makomo FC at the weekend.

The 22-year-old former Black Mambas attacking link was pulled out after scoring a classy opener, a first time volley off a Mhleli Sibanda cross in the first half of the game. It was Wadi’s third goal in five starts.

He is likely to return to action on Week 10 when Bulawayo Chiefs take on last season’s runners up, Technosphere. The winger will miss tricky encounters against Trumus, ZPC Hwange, Black Boots and Mpumalanga.

Bulawayo Chiefs’ coach Thulani Sibanda confirmed Wadi’s long layoff.

“It happens in football and we wish him a speedy recovery. We will miss his services but I believe this also gives other guys an opportunity to play. We won’t rush his return because the season is still in its infancy,” said Sibanda.

He was elated with his team’s 3-1 win over an equally good opponent that saw them maintain a two-point lead over championship favourites Bulawayo City and perennial campaigners ZPC Hwange.

Bulawayo Chiefs’ other goals came in the second stanza from Kundishora Chakanyuka and Joseph Mutambiranwa with the visitors getting the consolation through Bigguy Wilson Manyengwa.

“It’s good that we won and we’re moving away from relegation zone step by step. Makomo FC really gave us a good run and you can tell that these guys aren’t pushovers. I’m happy that the boys managed to withstand pressure mounted by our opponents and took up the chances we created,” said Sibanda.

Former Highlanders and Lancashire Steel speed merchant Tapela Ngwenya is in charge of Makomo FC and his side plays some exciting football.

The coalminers from Hwange – fifth on the table with eight points – have in their five league encounters managed to hold Bulawayo City and Ntabazinduna to goalless draws.

It was their first defeat of the season.

“Overall we had a good game. We started off slowly, with the guys taking long to settle and that’s why we conceded an early goal. The second goal was a result of us pushing our men upfront for an equaliser and they got us on a counter. However, I must say I’m proud with the way my boys have adapted to the very demanding Division One Soccer League in our first season,” said Ngwenya.

Makomo FC now have to play catch-up with the leading pack that has Bulawayo City, ZPC Hwange and Ntabazinduna.

Bulawayo City fought hard for three points against Black Boots who they edged 1-0 at Luveve Stadium. They got their goal from Trevor Ndlovu to keep veteran coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube’s hopes of leading them into the Premiership on track.

In another top of the table clash, ZPC Hwange electrocuted prison wardens Ntabazinduna, hitting them 2-1 at Ntabazinduna Training Depot.

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services side got their goals from Nicholas Tshuma with Admire Banda grabbing a brace for the electricity generators.

Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu’s army side Indlovu Iyanyathela trampled on Mpumalanga in Hwange, collecting their first win of the season courtesy of a 1-0 win.

 

Results: Old Nic Mine 0-0 Trumus, Mpumalanga 0-1 Indlovu Iyanyathela, Bantu Rovers 0-0 Nust, Technosphere 0-2 Casmyn, Ntabazinduna 1-2 ZPC Hwange, Bulawayo Chiefs 3-1 Makomo

Tomorrow: Bulawayo City 1-0 Black Boots, Amagagasi 2-1 Hwange Juniors

 

Southern Region Soccer League Table

P W D L F A GD Pts

Bulawayo Chiefs 5 4 1 0 9 1 8 13

Bulawayo City 5 3 2 0 5 0 5 11

ZPC Hwange 5 3 2 0 5 2 3 11

Ntabazinduna 5 3 1 1 8 4 4 10

Makomo 5 2 2 1 4 4 0 8

Casmyn 5 2 1 2 4 6 -2 7

Amagagasi 4 1 3 0 4 3 1 6

Nust 5 1 3 1 4 5 -1 6

Bantu Rovers 5 1 2 2 4 5 -1 5

Black Boots 3 1 1 1 4 3 1 4

Hwange Juniors 5 1 1 3 5 7 -2 4

Mpumalanga 5 1 1 3 3 6 -3 4

Trumus 5 0 3 2 2 4 -2 3

Indlovu Iyanyathela 4 1 0 3 2 6 -4 3

Old Nic Mine 4 0 2 2 2 5 -3 2

Technosphere 4 0 1 3 2 6 -4 1