Sports / Soccer
Bantu Rovers defends unbeaten run
28 May 2016 at 03:51hrs | Views
BANTU Rovers have an opportunity to close in on inactive Southern Region Soccer League table-toppers Amagagasi, when they take on Bosso 90 in a potentially explosive fixture set for White City Stadium tomorrow.
Rovers, with 15 points from six matches, trail Victoria Falls based Amagagasi who have played a game more than the former by four points.
Amagagasi's match against ZRP Bulawayo has been postponed to a later date and Rovers will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to six matches.
A huge turnout is expected at White City with city's football enthusiasts opting to watch the lower league action in the absence of Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches.
Highlanders' fans will be keen to watch their development side which is a feeder to the first team.
However, Bosso should be prepared for a grueling encounter as Rovers will be out for maximum points to make sure that they keep their championship hopes alive.
What could also be a blow to Bosso's build up to the game is that they were inactive last weekend when Rovers beat Ntabazinduna 3-0 at Luveve Stadium.
Rovers' coach Johannes Ngodzo said they're ready for Bosso.
"We're expecting a tough game and being a derby it is going to be an interesting game. There are boys who once played for Bantu Rovers at Bosso 90 and there are also some who came from there within our ranks. Obviously what will be key for us is to continue on our fine run and try to enjoy the game," said Ngodzo.
Some of the former Rovers players that have been playing regularly for Bosso include pint-sized striker Ray Lunga who has four goals in six outings and midfielder Onwell Gombami.
Joshua Wilson who has scored three goals is another player that Rovers should keep a close eye on.
Rovers' attack will be led by Fortune Nkomazana who has five goals and is a front runner for the Nokel Security Southern Region May top goal scorer accolade.
Nkomazana will partner seasoned forward Lenience Mpofu with national Under-20 forward Bukhosi Sibanda coming from the midfield to assist when attacking.
Zephaniah Ngodzo and Lindelani Ncube will lead Rovers from the back.
Bosso coach Melusi Sibanda said his charges are fired-up for the game.
"I think it's going to be an interesting game and the boys are fired up. Meeting a team that is playing well obviously makes the boys work even harder so that they try and match their opponents. I think it will be a good game considering that both teams enjoy knocking around the ball," said Sibanda.
ZPC Hwange can move to second place this afternoon if they beat Casmyn at Chakona, Hwange. The electricity generators have also been playing well and are tied on 15 points with Rovers but sit on position three because of an inferior goal difference.
For Casmyn who denied Amagagasi their seventh straight win last weekend during a 0-0 draw, they will be out to prove that sharing spoils with the table-toppers wasn't a fluke.
A Hwange derby between Makomo and Hwange Juniors caps today's matches.
Fixtures
Today: Amagagasi v ZRP Bulawayo Province (Victoria Falls, postponed), Ntabazinduna v Indlovu Iyanyathela (Ntabazinduna), ZPC Hwange v Casmyn (Hwange), Makomo v Hwange Juniors (Hwange)
Tomorrow: Victoria Falls Tigers v Talen Vision (Victoria Falls), Bosso 90 v Bantu Rovers (White City), Black Boots v ZRP Hwange (Fairbridge, 12PM)
Rovers, with 15 points from six matches, trail Victoria Falls based Amagagasi who have played a game more than the former by four points.
Amagagasi's match against ZRP Bulawayo has been postponed to a later date and Rovers will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to six matches.
A huge turnout is expected at White City with city's football enthusiasts opting to watch the lower league action in the absence of Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches.
Highlanders' fans will be keen to watch their development side which is a feeder to the first team.
However, Bosso should be prepared for a grueling encounter as Rovers will be out for maximum points to make sure that they keep their championship hopes alive.
What could also be a blow to Bosso's build up to the game is that they were inactive last weekend when Rovers beat Ntabazinduna 3-0 at Luveve Stadium.
Rovers' coach Johannes Ngodzo said they're ready for Bosso.
"We're expecting a tough game and being a derby it is going to be an interesting game. There are boys who once played for Bantu Rovers at Bosso 90 and there are also some who came from there within our ranks. Obviously what will be key for us is to continue on our fine run and try to enjoy the game," said Ngodzo.
Some of the former Rovers players that have been playing regularly for Bosso include pint-sized striker Ray Lunga who has four goals in six outings and midfielder Onwell Gombami.
Joshua Wilson who has scored three goals is another player that Rovers should keep a close eye on.
Rovers' attack will be led by Fortune Nkomazana who has five goals and is a front runner for the Nokel Security Southern Region May top goal scorer accolade.
Nkomazana will partner seasoned forward Lenience Mpofu with national Under-20 forward Bukhosi Sibanda coming from the midfield to assist when attacking.
Zephaniah Ngodzo and Lindelani Ncube will lead Rovers from the back.
Bosso coach Melusi Sibanda said his charges are fired-up for the game.
"I think it's going to be an interesting game and the boys are fired up. Meeting a team that is playing well obviously makes the boys work even harder so that they try and match their opponents. I think it will be a good game considering that both teams enjoy knocking around the ball," said Sibanda.
ZPC Hwange can move to second place this afternoon if they beat Casmyn at Chakona, Hwange. The electricity generators have also been playing well and are tied on 15 points with Rovers but sit on position three because of an inferior goal difference.
For Casmyn who denied Amagagasi their seventh straight win last weekend during a 0-0 draw, they will be out to prove that sharing spoils with the table-toppers wasn't a fluke.
A Hwange derby between Makomo and Hwange Juniors caps today's matches.
Fixtures
Today: Amagagasi v ZRP Bulawayo Province (Victoria Falls, postponed), Ntabazinduna v Indlovu Iyanyathela (Ntabazinduna), ZPC Hwange v Casmyn (Hwange), Makomo v Hwange Juniors (Hwange)
Tomorrow: Victoria Falls Tigers v Talen Vision (Victoria Falls), Bosso 90 v Bantu Rovers (White City), Black Boots v ZRP Hwange (Fairbridge, 12PM)
Source - chronicle
