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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
WHEN Buffaloes and Mutare City Rovers clash in Sunday’s Eastern Region Division One derby at Sakubva Stadium, attention will be glued on young Munashe Mudowaya, the 21-year-old sensation who is a vital part of the army outfit redemption’s mission.
Arguably Manicaland’s best supported football outfit, Buffaloes are launching yet another fresh bid to reclaim their place among the big boys of domestic football competition – the Castle Lager Premiership.
Their impressive start to the campaign, captioned by a 2-0 triumph over Bikita Minerals away at Lithium Stadium in Bikita underlines their renewed and strong intention to challenge for the regional league title.
In working towards achieving this feat, Buffaloes have assembled a competitive squad that includes a youngster from a disadvantaged background yet immensely talented.
Born and raised in the remote Zuze Village of Makoni District and orphaned at an early age, Mudowaya does not have both parents and is the eldest among her three female siblings, one of whom is physically challenged.
Just like a river that has many curves but always reaches the ocean, young Mudowaya career is now earning recognition given the platform he got at Eastern Region Division One side Buffaloes.
Indeed, young Mudowaya is utilising the opportunity to turn out for a competitive side like Buffaloes after he was on target in the team’s opening round of the 2023 season league matches away at Lithium Stadium against Bikita Minerals.
He said: “This is one opportunity I am determined to use to get my career to a higher level. I have dreams and ambitions in life and the only way I can achieve that is through working hard where I am attached now.
“Things were not easy in the past after losing both parents but I really thank God for this opportunity in my life. God gave me this football talent and helped me by placing the right people at the right time in my life when I was spotted while playing football back in Zuze Village where I come from. I was given a scholarship in Harare where I then did my secondary education at some private institutions.”
The young player, nicknamed Sauro after the late Zim-dancehall chanter Soul Jah Love whose music he adores, attended Success and Ideal colleges in the capital after being taken from his rural home.
The versatile player, who is comfortable on the left and right links, was once attached to Borrowdale Hatcliffe United and Kaola in the Division Two League in Harare.
Buffaloes assistant coach Shepherd Nkata spoke glowingly of the potential that Mudowaya boasts.
“He is one player who is destined for greater heights if all goes well. He has the pace, the skill and eye for goal. He actually scored one of our goals away at Bikita Minerals.
“The good thing about him is that he is also disciplined. He is one player you can see going an extra mile for the team to achieve and that will take him far in his career,” said Nkata, himself a former player at the Mutare army team.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Region Division One League, Manica Diamonds Juniors were in ruthless form as they completed a 4-0 demolition of Renco Mine FC.
Former Premiership outfit Tenax C.S made a good start to their campaign to regain Premiership promotion when they outplayed troublesome Ruwa 2-0 away in Ruwa.
Match Day One Results:
Ruwa 0-2 Tenax C.S FC; Rusitu Tigers 1-2 Midway; Manica Diamonds Juniors 4-0 Renco Mine; JM Busha 54 3-1 Masvingo United; Bikita Minerals 0-2 Buffaloes FC; FC Wangu Mazodze 2-0 FC Hunters; Chiredzi 1-2 Surrey; Mutare City Rovers 1-0
Grayham:Match Day Two Fixtures:
Saturday: Grayham v Rusitu Tigers; Surrey v Bikita Minerals; Chiredzi Stars v FC Wangu Mazodze; Renco Mine v JM Busha 54; FC Hunters v Manica Diamonds Juniors; Buffaloes v Mutare City Rovers:
Sunday: Midway v Ruwa; Masvingo United v Tenax C.S FC
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