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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIM Leopards’ fine form in the Southern Region Division One League comes under scrutiny tomorrow when they take on table-toppers Hwange at Gifford High School.

Leopards, who are under the guidance of former Amazulu defender Golding Dube and ex-Zimbabwe Saints and Highlanders’ striker Chipo Tsodzo, have turned around their fortunes by going on a five-match unbeaten run.

Sitting on ninth position with 16 points from 12 games and trailing Hwange by nine points, Leopards will pin their hopes on the quartet of defenders Benson Phiri and Lee Matizirofa, right winger Knowlen Ndlovu and striker Marlvin Dube, who are reportedly being trailed by Premiership teams.

They have to stop an experienced Hwange side that has the likes of defenders Felix Chindungwe, Obert Moyo and Andrew Chuma as well as veteran striker Gilbert Zulu, who have been in top form.

Hwange come to Bulawayo bubbling with confidence following last weekend’s 2-1 win over Makomo in a coal miners’ derby, while Leopards won by a similar score line against army side Indlovu Iyanyathela.

Tsholotsho clash with Talen Vision in another potentially exciting game at Raylton Sports Club tomorrow.

Tsholotsho are second on the table with 23 points; two behind Hwange, and are also keen for a quick Premiership return.

Their coach Joseph Sibindi has done a remarkable job at Zhwane following their relegation from the topflight last season.

Sibindi wants his side to remain within touching distance of Hwange, while Talen Vision, who suffered a 0-2 loss to Bosso 90, will want to bounce back.

Talen Vision are 11th with 14 points; 11 points behind log leaders Hwange.

The league’s draw specialists Toronto, who are second from the bottom with nine points from nine draws, will be at home to Casmyn hoping to get their first win of the season.

“We need just one win to get the boys’ confidence up. We’ve been playing well, but our biggest undoing has been our failure to score. Hopefully, we will get that victory soon and move out of the relegation zone,” said Ghetto Nkala, Toronto’s coach.

Fixtures
Tomorrow: ZRP Bulawayo Province v Moto Moto (Ross Camp), ZPC Hwange v Mosi Rovers (Hwange, 12PM), CIWU v Indlovu Iyanyathela (Crescent, 12PM), Toronto v Casmyn (Gifford, 12PM), Makomo v Mainline (Hwange, 3PM), Tsholosho v Talen Vision (Raylton, 12PM), Zim Leopards v Hwange (Gifford, 3PM)

Sunday: NRZ Leopards v Bosso 90 (Dete, 3PM)

Table
P    W    D    L    F    A    GD    Pts
Hwange    12    7    4    1    18    6    12    25
Tsholotsho    12    6    5    1    12    6    6    23
ZPC Hwange    12    5    6    1    10    4    6    21
Mosi Rovers    12    6    1    5    16    13    3    19
I. Iyanyathela    12    4    5    3    13    11    2    17
Bosso 90    12    4    5    3    11    10    1    17
Moto Moto    12    5    4    4    9    9    0    16
CIWU    12    3    7    2    8    8    0    16
Zim Leopards    12    4    4    4    11    14    -3    16
Makomo    11    3    6    2    12    10    2    15
*Talen Vision    11    3    5    3    15    11    4    14
Main Line    12    3    3    6    9    12    -3    12
NRZ Leopards    12    2    4    6    6    12    -6    10
Casmyn    11    2    4    5    5    11    -6    10
Toronto    12    0    9    3    5    11    -6    9
*ZRP Bulawayo    11    1    2    8    5    18    -13    5
*Match abandoned
– @ZililoR