Kasondela Luzibo, sports correspondent
As the 2024 season in the ZRP Bulawayo Province Inter Stations Soccer League nears the end with only a game left, there were some shocking results after the final round of week 33 games.
As expected, the Champions Entumbane had an easy fixture beating the once-feared Pumula. Donnington beat Cowdray Park, Khumalo drew with the Administrators and struggling Hillside edged Tshabalala.
One would have thought Pumula were in it against the Champions Entumbane who are yet to taste defeat when they scored with four minutes played through a Charlton Ncube effort who slotted past Stanley Tigere to give the host deserved.
Pumula missed the services of their veteran goalminder Bhekisipho Maphosa. One has to say that his replacement Tafadzwa Kamwara was the difference for keeping the score line respectful at 4-1 in favour of the visitors as he played a game of his life, making crucial saves.
With Entumbane not under pressure at all, they started making those forays upfront targeting their deadly wingers Mgcini Mpofu and Frank Shumba who interchanged flanks.
Patience paid for them in the 20th minute with their best passer of the ball Sipho Moyo levelling matters from six yards. Frank
Shumba added another on the stroke of half to thrust the Champions in the lead going to the breather.
In the second half, it was good handwriting for Pumula but with wrong answers as they could have at least forced a draw. The usually dependable young Owen Nyoni wasted two glorious chances, one off a Clinton Muleya in swinger and the second one off a Lucky Taruvinga free with a yawning net in front of him.
This agitated the Entumbane gaffer Mandisi Nyathi who had no kind words for the likes of Shumba and defender Try more Sibanda to up their game.
Entumbane won a free kick just outside the box that Tafadzwa Kumwara tipped over for a corner. Moments later, Mgcini Mpofu scored his 28th goal of the season with a solo effort to the far post with Kumwara diving all in vain.
A minute later, Mgcini added the second off a Frank Shumba lay off, the net might have been empty but it needed a calm nerve to control the ball and guide it goalwards.
In the dying minutes, Frank Shumba was denied by the bar to make it five with the keeper a beaten man. The Champions march on, in they are just a game away from making history of winning the league without a defeat.
Results at a glance
Pumula 1-4 Entumbane, Tshabalala 0-1 Hillside, Njube 2-1 Traffic, Mzilikazi 1-1 Saucepark, Donnington 5-3 Cowdray Park, CID 1-0 Luveve, PHQ 2-2 Khumalo, Westcom 1-3 Nkulumane, NB Magwegwe vs Byo Central postponed to Friday.
