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Melusi Sibanda

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
SOUTHERN Region Division One Soccer League championship contenders Bantu Rovers and Bulawayo Chiefs suffered shocking identical 1-2 defeats to Indlovu Iyanyathela and ZRP Bulawayo respectively, throwing the title race wide open.

Victoria Falls-based Amagagasi failed to exploit Rovers and Chiefs’ losses as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bosso90, who have had impressive second half of the season performances.

Amagagasi’s draw moved them into second place, just two points behind Rovers who are on 47 points.

The remaining eight games are going to be crucial for Rovers and Amagagasi, and their Week 30 clash could well decide the destiny of the title.

But Bosso90, the Highlanders’ development side under the tutelage of Melusi Sibanda, could  also have a say, as they will play both Rovers and Chiefs in their remaining eight matches.

Sibanda said his side would continue to give its best in the league, with his charges eager to impress and probably win the heart of first team coach Erol Akbay.

“I want to praise my players for an improved second half of the season performance where we’ve managed to collect 12 points from a possible 21 points. We won three, played three draws and lost once.

“The first half of the season was a bit tricky in the sense that the boys were still adapting to the First Division and they seem to be on the groove now. We will keep on working hard to improve with every passing game,” said Sibanda.

On his team’s prospects against championship chasing teams, Sibanda said: “In every competition, it feels good to beat big teams and I’m sure the boys want to show that they deserve to be in this league or even play in the topflight. Remember we’re meant to be a feeder to the first team and how players perform against top teams in the league is an aspect that coaches look at. I’m sure the remaining games will be interesting and we just want to go out there and enjoy our game.”

Some Bosso90 players that have been in impressive form in the second half of the season include the pint-sized Ray Lunga, who has scored nine goals in 22 games, captain and central defender Charlton Siyabalonga, defenders Mbongeni Ndlovu and Smart Daudi, as well as the midfield duo of Mandla Mnkandla and Muzi Dlamini.

Meanwhile, Talen Vision, who claimed the giant scalps of Rovers and Chiefs a couple of weeks back, suffered a 0-3 loss to Casmyn, while ZPC Hwange had no mercy for Ntabazinduna, thrashing them 5-0 in Hwange.

Makomo also clobbered Victoria Falls Tigers 5-1 in Hwange.

Fixtures

Today: Casmyn 3-0 Talen Vision, ZRP Bulawayo Province 2-1 Bulawayo Chiefs, Bantu Rovers 1-2 Indlovu Iyanyathela, ZPC Hwange 5-0 Ntabazinduna, ZRP Hwange v Hwange Juniors (cancelled), Makomo 5-1 Victoria Falls Tigers

Tomorrow: Black Boots v Technosphere (Not Played), Amagagasi 1-1 Bosso 90

@ZililoR