The ManicaPost
Freedom Mutanda Sports correspondent —
DIVISION Two teams have finished the 2016 season and the top two teams in the two Division Two leagues squared off against each other over the weekend as the playoffs
Chiwero from Hauna walloped Charter FC by three goals to nil while Banana Spears FC narrowly edged Redwing Mine 1-0 at Jopa grounds in Chipinge.
Owing to the financial squeeze that has affected most companies, the ZIFA Manicaland divided the province into two namely Chipinge –Chimanimani Division Two A league and the other one that has Mutare, Rusape and Nyanga teams.
As a result, the top two finishers are involved in play-offs with each team playing against the other three teams for the sole ticket to the competitive Eastern Region Division One.
‘’We expect tight competition for the right to represent Manicaland in the Eastern region.
After a marathon season, the stakes are high as these four teams meet each other on a home and away basis.
“The play-offs will be played until November before a team that will carry the flag for the province will emerge from the results of their play,’’ Innocent Mlilo, the Chimanimani/Chipinge Division Two chairman said.
Shadreck Mutande, the Banana FC team manager was delighted with the result though he felt that the journey was still long and arduous to the more competitive Division Two league.
‘‘My boys played well but the narrow score-line shows that Redwing is no push over; consequently, we will go back to the drawing in order to work on those aspects we didn’t perfect in our match today,’’ he said at the end of the match on Sunday.
Redwing mine played an attractive brand of soccer but they were denied by the impressive defence of Banana F.C and on the few occasions they breached it, they found the uncompromising goalkeeper at his best.
The next round of matches will be played on Sunday. By November 30, the representative of Manicaland would be inaugurated to be part of the Eastern region next year.
