adminGrace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
BUFFALOES have been given a big boost ahead of their home league match against Highlanders on Sunday when they finally got the green light to use Sakubva from the ZIFA Grounds Committee.
The Mutare club played their first home league match at Vengere in Rusape.
But on Wednesday, the ZIFA Grounds Committee had a meeting with Mutare City Council who gave their commitment to renovate the stadium and meet the minimum requirements.
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said there was commitment from the mayor of the city that they will sort all the outstanding issues regarding Sakubva.
Some work is already being done at the stadium.
Buffaloes’ spokesperson Gladman Chimonyo welcomed the move.
“It is a good thing to play at home in front of your fans as they cheer the team and this helps us to get some good results,” he said.
Before they host the Bulawayo giants, Buffaloes make another tough trip to Harare this afternoon to face unpredictable ZPC Kariba at Gwanzura.
The Kariba side are still playing their league matches at Gwanzura.
Over the weekend they came from three goals down to force an away draw with Hwange at the Colliery.
The league runners-up are likely to be without their coach, Saul Chaminuka, who is attending a family challenge in Masvingo and hasn’t conducted the training sessions with the club.
Yesterday, assistant coach Godfrey Tamirepi said they were hungry for the three points.
“We both drew our matches over the weekend and they are also to recover from the defeat against Dynamos.
“But we are at home and we would be offensive. We expect to do well and we would also want to maintain a good home record in which we only lost to CAPS United last season.
“We are not underrating Buffaloes. They did well against Triangle, getting a draw, and we know they will come at us strongly,” he said.
Tamirepi said they were hoping to have a fruitful Easter weekend where they get some points in the bag from the two matches.
On Sunday they travel to Gweru for a date against Chapungu.
“Chapungu are a difficult team to play. Last year they beat us 3-0 at Ascot and they are a difficult opponents, especially at their home.
“We believe we have a score to settle with them,” he said.
Midfielder, Raphael Manuvire, who has scored three goals in two games since his return from a horrific injury, has been in good form.
“He is doing very well considering he had a layoff of about six months. But we are expecting that, as the league progresses, he will reach top form again,” said Tamirepi.
Fixtures
Today: Whawha v Harare City (Ascot); Chicken Inn v Tsholotsho (Luveve); ZPC Kariba v Buffaloes (Gwanzura); Highlanders v Hwange (Barbourfields 3pm SS); Dynamos v Dongo Sawmill (Rufaro); Triangle United v Chapungu (Gibbo).
Sunday: Flame Lily v How Mine (Gwanzura 3pm, SS).
Monday: Dongo Sawmill v Triangle United (Vengere); Chicken Inn v Whawha (Luveve); CAPS United v Dynamos (National Sports Stadium, 3pm, SS); Tsholotsho v Hwange White City); Chapungu v ZPC Kariba (Ascot); Buffaloes v Highlanders (Sakubva);
Wednesday: FC Platinum v Flame Lily (Mandava).
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