By Kudakwashe Kutinyo
The Southern region league has hit the halfway mark and is taking a two-week break, following an action-packed first half filled with thrilling moments and dramatic twists.
Fans experienced a thrilling ride as three teams took turns at the top spot in a 17-game rollercoaster, but Nkayi United has now pulled ahead to firmly hold the lead.
After being relegated from the top flight, Chiefs regrouped and built a strong team in the preseason, determined to dominate and earn a swift return to the top league.
The team’s roster quickly swayed soccer analysts’ predictions, with many tipping Chiefs as the frontrunners due to their impressive squad depth and quality.
Chiefs kicked off the season with a statement, mercilessly outgunning opponents and racking up wins, with newcomers Nust and Eagle Life suffering heavy losses.
A football enthusiast pointed out that Chiefs’ dominance would only be confirmed if they could pick up points away from home, an area analysts had identified as a potential weak spot. Chiefs did struggle on their travels, before suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Nkayi that shook the team and sparked a results drought.
While attention focused on Hwange and Chiefs, Nkayi quietly emerged as a dark horse, overcom-ing a slow start marked by draws to become a genuine title contender, dispatching opponents and surging to the top of the league.
Nkayi’s 10-game winning streak catapulted them to 40 points, with 27 goals scored and a mere 8 conceded. In 17 matches, they’ve secured 12 wins, drawn 4, and suffered just one defeat.
Talen Vision, who sit at 5th position was once touted as a top contender after assembling a talented squad in the preseason, got off to a rocky start, sparking concerns. The team responded by axing some players, citing disciplinary issues, alleged sabotage and results have started bearing fruit.
Newcomers Bulawayo Warriors are in the mix for a top-four spot, while Blackrock, led by Mthuli-si Maphosa, occupy a comfortable mid-table position. Nust and Ajax Hotspurs Movers FC are locked in a relegation dogfight, with Nust clinging to a one-point lead. Meanwhile, Eagle Life has staged a recovery, escaping the relegation zone and now rubbing shoulders with mid-table sides like Bosso90.
Chiefs sit in second place with 37 points, ahead of Hwange Colliery on 32 points. Casmyn from Inyathi, the previous season’s runners-up, currently occupy 7th position with 25 points, while Mainline, who were initially struggling, have risen to 8th place with 25 points, easing concerns for the team and coaching department.
Talen Vision assistant coach Junior ‘Mapepa’ Takavarasha revealed that the first half of the season was difficult due to an unfavourable fixture.
“We had a slow start of the season, we were inconsistent and the other thing our first five games we faced formidable teams. It was difficult to have a good start, we rediscovered our winning for-mula.”
“I can safely say going forward we have a good shape and hoping for a good second round of the league. This year in the Southern region it is not easy, there are no underdogs,” said Takavarasha.
The mid-season break gives teams a chance to regroup, reinforce their squads, and address weak-nesses by bringing in new talent and exploring fresh tactical strategies.
The second leg promises to be intense, with teams looking to up their game, while the top contend-ers may employ aggressive tactics to stifle their opponents.
