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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
EXCITING times are lying ahead in the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One race for the title as current log leaders, FC WanguMazodze are facing a real banana skin in their four visits to Mutare for tricky assignments against Tenax, Mutare City Rovers, army side, Buffaloes and Manica Diamonds Juniors.
The Eastern Region Division One log leaders will be in Mutare on the 2023 season Week 19 against Mutare City Rovers, Week 23 against Buffaloes, Week 26 against Manica Juniors and lastly Week 28 against Tenax FC.
Of late, Mutare Showground Sports Arena has been the place to be for multitudes of Mutare soccer loving fans where all the three Mutare-based Eastern Region Division One teams are hosting their opponents week-in; week-out, following the closure of Sakubva Stadium for renovations.
Mutare Showgrounds is most likely to play host to all the four matches that Masvingo-based log leaders, FC WanguMazodze will face Tenax FC, Buffaloes, Manica Diamonds and Mutare City Rovers.
In total, FC WanguMazodze will be in Manicaland five times, including an equally tricky assignment against troublesome Rusape-based outfit – Midway.
It appears the second round fixtures will be very unkind to the Masvingo-based outfit which now has to face other championship chasing teams in their own backyard.
This weekend, the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One League takes a mid-season two-week break and returns on Week 19 when Mutare City Rovers hosts FC WanguMazodze.
Indeed, all the three Eastern Region Division One Mutare-based clubs’ coaches are counting on these second round fixtures as an advantage.
Tenax FC coach, Luke Jukulile-Petros: said: “It will be an advantage, not only for second placed TenaxFC, but for all the teams in the race and particularly the other Mutare-based teams – Buffaloes and Mutare City Rovers.”
The former Warriors forward believes his team, just like others in the top seven, are still in the race.
“We are still in the race. If you look at the log table, we are quite okay. The race is still on. If you look at the top seven teams, all of them have a chance to clinch the title,” said Petros.
Petros said the amalgamated ZPCS side is not under any form of pressure.
“To me, I am not even under any form of pressure because as it is, a team on position seven can still bounce back and win this race. I cannot say we are behind. The race is still on and we are still in it. We will fight until the end with the hope that we get our desired goals,” he said.
Mutare City Rovers coach, Chasten Ngondonga, said: “There are still many points to play for. Yes, we are very much in the race for promotion. All teams up to fifth position have a chance to win the league championship.
“The gap between us and FC WanguMazodze was 12 points, but it is now seven, and that means anything can happen in the remaining fixtures. We just need to win our games.”
Buffaloes head coach, Shadreck ‘Father’ Mugurasave, said: “From the start of the season, our target was to build a strong team that can compete for the championship next year.
“However, it is true that any team in the top six can win the title. It is also true that FC WanguMazodze will not find it easy when they come here. The home advantage will come in handy for teams based this side.”
Manica Diamonds’ Juniors mentor, Hibron ‘Adala’ Makukutu, said: “Being a developmental outfit that we are, winning the title is not the major priority. Yes, it is an achievement that we want, but primarily, we are meant to develop talent. It is along these lines that we think many teams, FC WanguMazodze included, should not get it easy when they play against us, more so, when we are at home.”
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