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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
A late equaliser by national Under-20 striker Bukhosi Zakhu Sibanda saw Southern Region Division One Soccer League leaders Bantu Rovers salvage a point against ZRP Bulawayo, taking their unbeaten run to six games.

Rovers, whose last defeat was in Week 11 when they lost 0-1 to Bulawayo Chiefs, struggled against ZRP Bulawayo, who had shot into a first half lead through Zibusiso Damba.

Despite failing to collect maximum points, Rovers’ coach Johannes Ngodzo was content with a the 1-1 draw.

“We didn’t play the way we usually do and in football you can’t be in top form every day. There are times when you struggle and it so happened that we were not at our best against ZRP Bulawayo, but we’re hopeful to build from this result. Collecting a point is better if you are not playing well than losing because to motivate the guys after a defeat is a bit difficult,” said Ngodzo.

Rovers are now on 41 points and their lead reduced from seven points to six after Bulawayo Chiefs beat Indlovu Iyanyathela 2-1.

Chiefs are on 35 points from 17 outings and found themselves on the back foot after Obedience Siwela had given Indlovu Iyanyathela an early lead.

Chiefs fought back and replied through ex-Rovers’ utility player Moses Majika and Joseph Mutambiranwa.

Thulani Sibanda, Chiefs’ coach, was unmoved by their climb.

“Look, when I was re-engaged by the club, they told me to rebuild for next season and try to lift players’ confidence, which is coming up well. What is important is to carry on with the positive attitude, keep on fighting and build confidence. We just temporarily moved into second place because

Amagagasi have a game in hand and if they win, we’re back in third,” said Sibanda.

Amagagasi’s outstanding fixture is a home tie against Black Boots in Victoria Falls.

The resort town based club played to a 0-0 stalemate against Makomo and slipped into third. Amagagasi have amassed 34 points from 16 games.

Meanwhile, Zifa Southern Region administrator Augustine Ndlovu said clubs that do not fulfil their games will be fined.

His comments come after ZRP Hwange and Technosphere failed to travel for their respective games against Casmyn and Ntabazinduna.

“Casmyn and Ntabazinduna have been awarded three points each on 3-0 score lines as they walked over ZRP Hwange and Technosphere, who didn’t travel for their matches. The league will also fine ZRP Hwange and Technosphere $500 each, which is what was agreed on by the clubs in efforts to discourage walkovers. If they miss two more games, the two clubs will be chucked out of the league,” said Ndlovu.

Results

Saturday: Makomo 0-0 Amagagasi, Casmyn 3-0 ZRP Hwange (walkover), Talen Vision 0-0 Hwange Juniors, ZPC Hwange 2-2 Black Boots,

Bulawayo Chiefs 2-1 Indlovu Iyanyathela

Sunday: Ntabazinduna 3-0 Technosphere (walkovers), Bantu Rovers 1-1 ZRP Bulawayo Province, Victoria Falls Tigers 1-0 Bosso 90

Table

P    W    D    L    F    A    GD    Pts

Bantu Rovers    17    13    2    2    30    5    25    41

Bulawayo Chiefs    17    10    5    2    25    9    16    35

Amagagasi    16    10    4    2    22    7    15    34

ZPC Hwange    17    8    8    1    17    8    9    32

Victoria Falls Tigers    17    8    3    6    17    15    2    27

Technosphere    17    6    6    5    10    14    -4    24

Black Boots    16    6    5    5    21    15    6    23

ZRP Bulawayo    16    5    5    6    14    14    0    20

Talen Vision    17    5    5    7    14    19    -5    20

Casmyn    17    4    6    7    15    16    -1    18

Ntabazinduna    17    4    6    7    10    20    -10    18

Bosso90    17    4    5    8    16    21    -5    17

Hwange Juniors    17    3    6    7    7    14    -7    16

Makomo    17    3    6    8    8    14    -6    15

Indlovu Iyanyathela    17    4    2    11    9    23    -14    14

ZRP Hwange    16    2    3    11    10    31    -21    9

– @ZililoR