Zimpapers Logo

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
SOUTHERN Region Division One League title hopefuls Hwange picked up a valuable point on the road following a goalless draw against Talen Vision at Luveve Stadium on Saturday.

Hwange top the league table with 53 points after 23 games followed by Tsholotsho with 47. Tsholotsho will get a chance to reduce the gap when they play army side Indlovu Iyanyathela tomorrow.

The coalminers were unlucky to return to Hwange without maximum points, as they struck the crossbar twice in the second half.

However, Nation Dube, Hwange’s coach, was happy with the point that took his team’s unbeaten run to six games.

“At this stage of the season, every point is valuable and I’m happy that at least we got something from this trip. We need to pick ourselves up and ensure that we bury the chances we create. We are left with tough games and the teams always raise their game when playing us,” said Dube.

Hwange veterans, defenders Felix Chindungwe and skipper Gerald Ndlovu, marshalled the defence well, with Andrew Chuma and Canaan Nkomo pulling the strings in midfield, while striker Gilbert Zulu showed some flashes of brilliance.

Talen Vision coach Mkhuphali Masuku was happy with his players’ flawless display.

“That was a valuable point that keeps us within the reach of a top four finish. The players gave a good fight and I must say I was happy with 18-year-old Nyasha Garayi, whom we moved from attacking link to play at left-back. We will keep fighting for a top four finish and take each game as it comes,” Masuku said.

Talen Vision are in sixth place with 36 points, two behind fourth-placed Makomo. Makomo drew 1-1 against another army side Moto Moto in a Hwange derby.

Zim Leopards recorded the biggest win of the weekend by beating NRZ Leopards 3-1 in Dete.

Kudzai Chipunza’s brace and a strike by Obert Zinyama powered Zim Leopards to victory, while NRZ Leopards’ face saver came from Husain Banda.

Police side ZRP Bulawayo finally remembered how to win when Enos Magusvi’s solitary strike secured a 1-0 victory over visiting Mainline.

Results
Saturday: Talen Vision 0-0 Hwange, NRZ Leopards 1-3 Zim Leopards, Moto Moto 1-1 Makomo, ZPC Hwange 1-0 Toronto, ZRP Bulawayo Province 1-0 Mainline, Bosso 90 1-1 CIWU

Sunday: Mosi Rovers 0-2 Casmyn

Table

P W D L F A GD Pts
Hwange 23 16 5 2 42 12 30 53
Tsholotsho 22 13 8 1 27 11 16 47
ZPC Hwange 23 11 9 3 22 11 11 42
Makomo 23 10 7 5 31 25 6 38
I/IIyanyathela 22 10 7 5 29 16 13 37
Talen Vision 23 9 9 5 31 15 16 36
Bosso 90 23 8 9 6 22 18 4 33
CIWU 23 7 9 7 24 22 2 30
Moto Moto 23 5 11 7 17 19 -2 26
Mosi Rovers 23 7 4 12 24 31 -7 25
Casmyn 23 6 7 10 14 24 -10 25
Zim Leopards 23 6 6 11 20 31 -11 24
Main Line 23 5 5 13 14 30 -18 20
ZRP Bulawayo 23 4 6 13 14 29 -15 1 9
Toronto 23 2 12 9 10 23 -13 18
NRZ Leopards 23 3 6 14 12 37 -25 14
— @ZililoR