The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
Bulawayo City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 5
Bantu Rovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0
BULAWAYO City produced a superb second half performance against Bantu Rovers yesterday at Luveve Stadium to secure their place in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League for next year.
Harare City’s 1-0 victory over How Mine couldn’t secure their stay in the PSL while Hwange lost 0-2 to ZPC Kariba, a result that condemned them to Division One.
The axe was hovering over the Bulawayo City Council-funded side going into the match but four goals from Newman Sianchali and another from Trevor Ndhlovu ensured their dance in the top flight.
Amakhosi, as City is known, were all over the visitors in the first half but they missed several chances with Sianchali coming up with the opening goal in the 21st minute when he tapped in a rebound after Bantu’s goalkeeper, Notice Dube, punched away a free kick from Zephanaiah Ngodzo.
Dube’s emphatic efforts ensured Bantu go to the break with a respectable score line but it was a different affair in the second half as he could not stop the marauding City strikers who knew survival hinged on a high scoring win.
City ensured they kill Bantu’s resistance in the second stanza when Sianchali scored his second goal less than a minute after the resumption of the game.
Sianchali went on to score in the 59th minute and in injury time while Ndhlovu’s goal came in the 78th minute to ensure a night of celebrations for Amakhosi.
An ecstatic City coach, Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu said he will not waste time kicking of preparations for the next season and expects to start planning in the next coming week.
He said with the personnel in City’s books the side did not deserve to have been fighting the relegation battle but they were unfortunate to fail to garner positive home results in the final stages of the championship.
“I am excited and happy that we have managed to secure our place in the Premiership for next year but I do not think we deserve to have been fighting relegation battles because we have good players in the team.
“However, we have to start our preparations for next year now. I will not be wasting any time and will start my planning now to ensure we can beef up the squad with energetic players that can give us pace,” said Mpofu, whose contract at City runs out in March 2019.
He revealed his told his players during the break not to panic but keep their composure and even at one time played with four strikers to ensure the goals come through.
Bantu Rovers, known for promoting youngsters, have another debut to 15-year-old high school boy Mpumelelo Bhebhe. Nonetheless, Bantu were joined by Tsholotsho, Harare City and Hwange in the drop zone and will play Division One football next year.
Teams
Bulawayo City: N Sibanda, M Moyo (H Ncube, 65thh), R Pavari (T Ndhlovu, 59thh), I Wadi (D Bellington, 81stt), M Mukumbi, N Sianchali, C Rupiya, Z Ngodzo, Z Sibanda, I Kutsnazira, M Kadzola
Bantu Rovers: N Dube, F Sibanda, L Ncube, M Bhebhe, N Garayi, A Chikwira (L Ndlela, 46th), P Zivengwa, S Nyahwa, N papius, S Moyo (M Dube, 65th), N Mpofu (R Masuku, 65th)
