Zifa Central Soccer League leaders Hardbody surged forward with an away 3-2 win over TM Eagles at Mbizo Stadium on Saturday while Chapungu crashed to a 0-1 defeat away at McInn on the same day.
Hardbody are now on 51 points, three clear of second-placed Tripple B who got three free points from a no-match against expelled Rutendo Stars.
A brace by former Lancashire Steel, Masvingo United and Caps United striker Malvern Nyakabangwe and another strike by hitman Callisto Maheya ensured Hardbody maintain their grip at the top.
Maheya is the league’s top marksman with 14 goals.
To shrug off Tripple B’s challenge and assert their authority, Tavaka Gumbo’s men have to keep up with their momentum which has seen them going nine successive games unbeaten.
At Pelandaba Stadium, struggling Chapungu tumbled to their second defeat inside three games to dent their chances of a Premiership return.
McInn’s Douglas Sibanda’s goal grounded the airmen who slid one place down to fifth place with 38 points.
With an experienced and potent arsenal in the form of Phillip Marufu, Brighton Mugoni, Dumisani Mufudze and Pascar Shonhai, Chapungu are notorious for failing to rise to the occasion against the league’s big teams.
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Despite the win McInn failed to move up from position eight.
Tongogara strengthened their Premiership return bid with a 3-0 win over Chrome Stars at Chrome Stadium on the same day.
The army side, who have former Highlanders and Warriors hard-tackling defender Melody Wafawanaka in their fold, retained their third spot where they are placed with 44 points and seven behind Hardbody.
ZimAlloys kept their title ambitions alive after edging Lancashire Steel 1-0 away at Baghdad Stadium.
Former Shabanie Mine forward Farai Mususunye’s strike sank the steelmen to help his side dislodge Chapungu on fourth spot.
FC Glow Petroleum and Ziscosteel drew one-all in the Redcliff Derby played at Torwood Stadium as both sides remained in their respective positions. Ziscosteel are in sixth place with 38 points while FC Glow are on ninth.
Forbes and Thompson emerged from Mkoba Stadium with a point after restricting troubled Gweru Pirates to a one-all stalemate.
Pirates remains stuck in relegation waters in 14th place where they are failing to turn the tide even against equally weaker sides.
