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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO FC took a giant leap towards clinching the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League title following their hard fought 1-0 win over Technosphere on Saturday.

After referee Allan Bhasvi blew the final whistle Tsholotsho FC players and fans went haywire as they celebrated the important win as Technosphere were also eyeing winning the championship.

Tsholotsho are second on the table tied on 48 points with leaders Black Boots who have a superior goal difference.

The advantage that Tsholotsho FC has over Black Boots is that after 23 matches, they have played a game less than their title rivals.

Saturday’s Tsholotsho FC and Technosphere encounter was played before a bumper crowd at Tsholotsho Centre which saw the home team getting the solitary goal from Edmore Chirambadare who converted from the penalty spot in the second half.

Technosphere had disputed the penalty given by top referee Allan Bhasvi after a Tsholotsho FC player was brought down in the box and the visitors felt it was a harsh decision by the referee leading to a five-minute stoppage. When play resumed, Chirambadare made no mistake sending the visitors’ goalkeeper the wrong way.

Tsholotsho FC coach Lizwe Sweswe was on cloud nine and praised his boys for a disciplined performance.

“Like I said before, the championship is ours to lose. This was a tough game considering that Technosphere came here wanting a draw and after seeing that they were content in absorbing us and trying to get us on counter attacks, I told my boys to be patient and try to get in their box because they were defending too deep. This victory cushions us ahead of our remaining matches which will require maximum concentration,” said Sweswe.

The Zhwane Boys have a bye in their next league game as they were supposed to play defunct Portland Cement on Week 24 meaning they will get three points just like all the other teams that have benefited from the latter’s withdrawal from the league.

After getting free points, Tsholotsho FC will be on 51 points, three clear of Black Boots.

They will then play host to Hwange Juniors before rounding up their season with an away trip to Hwange for a date with Mpumalanga United.

Technosphere coach Try Ncube believes the race is not yet over.

“Tsholotsho FC are a good side who can beat us without any assistance from the referees. However, I still believe we’re still in the title race because there might be twists and turns in the remaining fixtures,” Ncube said.

Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda, Southern Region boss Musa Mandaza, Zifa Southern Region board member Mkhululi Mthunzi, national association education officer Brian Moyo and Trust Kwembeya of Inline Academy were part of the crowd in Tsholotsho.

Plumtree Chiefs’ title hopes fell by the wayside after losing 0-1 to Ntabazinduna and should they win their remaining matches, they will end the season with 52 points.

Remaining Top 5 Zifa Southern Division One

Soccer League Fixtures

Week 24: Tsholotsho FC v Portland Cement, Hwange Juniors v Technosphere, Mpumalanga v Black Boots, Plumtree Chiefs v Quelaton, Ntabazinduna v Trumus

Week 25: Tsholotsho FC v Hwange Juniors, New West v Technosphere, Black Boots v ZPC Hwange (game already played Black Boots won 1-0), Elephants v Plumtree Chiefs, Old Nic Mine v Ntabazinduna

Week 26: Mpumalanga v Tsholotsho FC, Technosphere v Plumtree Chiefs, Ntabazinduna v Black Boots

Results

Saturday: Tsholotsho 1-0 Technosphere, Trumus 1-2 ZPC Hwange, Old Nic Mine 3-0 Mpumalanga, Plumtree Chiefs 0-1 Ntabazinduna, Quelaton 1-2 New West, Elephants 2-0 Hwange Juniors