By Alvin Moyo, Football Writer
For the first time since 2019, action returns to the Zifa Southern Region Division One League with all 16 teams registered for the upcoming season taking part in the Wafa Wafa Knockout Tournament that kicks off today.
Most Bulawayo based teams will play their matches at the iconic White City Stadium due to a shortage of venues after the Bulawayo City Council gave preference to Premier Soccer League matches and made Luveve Stadium unavailable for Division One. The only exception is the Indlovu Iyanyathela-Mountain Climbers tie which will be played at Luveve Stadium’s B Arena.
The pick of the weekend action is today’s mouthwatering local rivalry, Ajax Hotspurs host neighbours Zimbabwe Saints at 3pm.
Saints are in desperate search of a Premiership status after returning from the an almost six-year absence from the local game. A good outing this afternoon will set the tone for Amin Soma-Phiri’s charge for promotion this season. Ajax, on the contrary, have been playing in the highly competitive league for a couple of years now and have become one of the go-to side in the country for young, talented players.
Little is known about the material either side has ahead of the new season, but if derby history is anything to go by, a good game of football is in the offing.
But before this game gets underway, Makhandeni Pirates and Quality will have a go at each in the early kick off at the same venue. The two square off in a midday fixture hoping to get through to the next round of the league’s premier tournament.
The last time the league was played, the massively funded and very ambitious Talen Vision finished second behind Bulawayo City on the log and barely missed out on promotion. This time around they start the season among the favourites and will want to use their match against Arenal to gauge their readiness for the new campaign.
Talen Vision have reportedly lost Obadiah Tarumbwa to Bulawayo Chiefs but they are still expected to have enough to compete at the highest level.
Former Premier league side, Hwange begin their dance with Division One football with a trip to Victoria Falls this afternoon to face Mosi Rovers. Hwange are coached by vastly experienced Bongani Mafu who has been quietly building s team that today can compete with any PSl side.
Both sides have premier league ambitions and the match should be a good Matabeleland North derby.
SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER 2021
Makhandeni Pirates vs Quality White City 12pm
Ajax Hotspurs vs Zim Saints White City 3pm
Indlovu Iyanyathela vs Mountan Climbers Luveve B Arena 12pm
ZPC Hwange vs Binga Pirates Hwange 3pm
Mosi Rovers vs Hwange Vic Falls 3pm
Mainline vs Casmyn Plumtree 3pm
Sunday 12 December 2021
Bosso 90 vs Ratanang White City 12pm
Arenel vs Talen Vision White City 3pm
