OnSport Reporter
Nkayi United has put up a spirited challenge for a Premiership berth as they continue to make waves in the Zifa Southern Region Soccer League, with Moreblessing Ernesto leading the charge.
The side has shot to top on the log standings above favourites Bulawayo Chiefs and Hwange, demoted from the top league last year.
Nkayi have posted six victories on the trot, amassing 28 points from 13 games and their latest raid was on Bosso 90, who they thrashed 3-1 at the weekend at White City Stadium B-Arena.
They now lead Bulawayo Chiefs and Hwange by a point as the two former top sides played a 1-1 stalemate at the Chiefs Village on the same day.
The Daniel Ndlovu coached outfit has only suffered one defeat so far.
Ernesto was instrumental in the win against Bosso 90, scoring one of the goals for his side and it was his second of the season.
The former Bantu Leopards defender has been outstanding and scored his other goal against Chiefs last month in a 2-1 victory.
He planted a firm header past Matripples Muleya after a static Chiefs defence watched him jump majestically to connect a Nhlanhla Fumapano corner kick with aplomb.
Enersto and midfielders Fumapano (ex-Chicken Inn), Grant Chigwenhese, Karel Jawa (who had a short stint in Saudi Arabia) and Mduduzi “Nzonzi” Sithole have also impressed at the Kingdom Blue-bankrolled outfit.
Tino “Mashefu” Chitete and James Chivasa also chipped in with crucial goals in the victory, whilst Mthabisi Ncube scored his fourth goal of the season for Bosso 90 albeit in a losing cause.
Under Ernesto’s leadership, Nkayi United has shown remarkable form.
He took over the armband from former Highlanders winger Muziwakhe Dlamini, who was controversially red-carded in a 1-1 stalemate against Bulawayo Warriors.
Upon Dlamini’s return, the technical team made up of Ndlovu, assistant coaches Chipo Tsodzo and Khonzani “Mboma” Ncube decided to leave the armband in Enersto’s care.
Next up for Nkayi is a home fixture against struggling Imbizo.
Nkayi United soar to the top in the ZIFA SRSL
