BULWAYO - The Southern Region Division One title race reaches its climax this weekend with Bantu Rovers the favourites to clinch promotion into the Castle Premiership.

Bantu play host to lowly Rufaro Rovers needing an outright victory to ensure their return to the top-flight after a two-year absence.

Tshintsha Guluva will be banking on the on-fire Aaron Nyaruviro to bang in the goals and earn them the maximum points needed to secure promotion ahead of their rivals ZPC Hwange and How Mine.

Reuben Tsengwa’s charges have amassed a total of 63 points and go into the last game of the season leading second-placed ZPC by a single point. Third-placed How Mine are still in with a shout as they trail the log leaders by two points.

ZPC have what on paper looks like an easy assignment as they visit relegation bound Projects while gold miners How Mine face a tricky tie against fourth-placed Black Boots.

It has been a pretty tight race in the Southern Region with the leadership position changing hands on a regular basis and the final day of action is set to be a thrilling affair.

Four teams, Black Boots, New West, Railstars and Bulawayo Chiefs have a chance to finish the season in the top four.

Of the four, New West have the brightest prospects as they face Division Two bound Sizane, who were walloped 6-2 by Bantu Rovers last weekend.

The Lobengula-based side will have to guard against complacency as the fruit and vegetable marketers recently brew a shocker when they beat title contenders How Mine 1-0. - Sakheleni Nxumalo