adminTakudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
BUFFALO Junior returned to the summit of the Zifa Eastern Region Division One table after a hard-fought 1-0 win against Surrey Abattoirs over the weekend. Surrey went into the weekend fixtures on top of the 16-team league but they found the going tough at Buffalo Junior who now have four wins and two losses from six starts.
Buffalo Junior had lost their last game 0-1 at Gaza Gunners.
The race is so tight in the Eastern Region that Surrey’s defeat saw them dropping into seventh place on the table.
They will face second-placed Eastern Stars in their next home encounter this weekend.
Shadreck Magurasave, the Buffalo Junior coach, said his team survived a huge test against Surrey.
A 44th minute goal from Prince Madhawu made all the difference.
“We are happy with the result but they gave us a torrid time. Surrey are a strong side and despite creating some chances we could not score as many goals as we wanted,” said Magurasave.
“They gave us a good run and I believe they are a team that will make a big impact.”
Magurasave said their mission was to remain in Division One and, in the event that they win the race, it will be a bonus.
“We still have a long way to go but I am happy that the young players are gaining confidence with each passing game,” said Magurasave.
“The team is made up of junior players as it is a feeder to Premiership side Buffaloes so we want the juniors to gain confidence with each game.
“Most of the players came from Division Two with the team and they are doing well.”
Ambitious side Easter Stars beat Gaza Gunners 1-0 at Rudhaka.
Eastern Region Results
Mutare City 4, Mutare Poly 3; Ruwa United 4, Renco Mine 0; Mwenezana 3, FC Three Leaves 1; ZRP Masvingo 4, Chivhu Stars 2; Buffalo Juniors 1, Surrey 0; Eastern Stars 1, Gaza Gunners 0; Gutu 2, Tenax 2; Black Eagles 0, Masvingo United 2.Eastern Region
Log Standing
P W D L F A Pts
Buffalo Jnr 6 4 0 2 7 5 12
Eastern Stars 6 4 0 2 7 5 12
Mwenezana 6 3 2 1 12 11 11
Tenax 5 3 1 1 12 6 10
Mutare City 6 2 4 0 12 8 10
Ruwa United 6 3 1 2 9 5 10
Surrey 5 3 1 1 8 4 10
FC Three Leaves 6 3 1 2 8 7 10
Renco Mine 6 2 2 2 4 7 8
ZRP Masvingo 6 2 1 3 9 10 7
Gaza Gunners 6 2 0 4 7 6
Masvingo Utd 6 2 0 4 9 13 6
Gutu 6 1 3 2 8 12 6
Mutare Poly 5 1 1 3 10 12 4
Black Eagles 5 1 0 4 7 13 3
Chivhu Stars 4 0 1 3 4 9 1
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