adminBuffaloes’ coach Shadreck Mugurasave said he wanted at least eight youthful players who will be able to hold their own in the Premiership.
He said he will retain the majority of the players who led the soldiers to the Zifa Eastern Region Division One Championship last year.
“We are retaining most of our players but we also need to get at least eight good players.
“I am mostly targeting midfielders and strikers for the team,” said Mugurasave.
Already Buffaloes have signed former Eagles and Monomotapa striker Malvern Dumbura while Chicken Inn’s Never Musimbe is also heading to the Mutare side.
“At the moment Dumbura has joined us and I am hoping to get Musimbe,” said Mugurasave.
Mugurasave is working with Timothy Masachi and Peter Masibera in the technical team.
“It’s the same guys who worked we with me from last season,” he said.
Masachi is a former coach for the now defunct Feruka while Masibera, who is the goalkeeper’s coach, was with another Mutare side Highway.
Mugurasave said while he was looking for young and talented players to boost his squad since Buffaloes are not entirely short on experienced players.
“There are a couple of seasoned players who have the experience at this level,” he said.
Buffaloes’ have Dananani Chinowawa, former Black Rhinos midfielder Shepherd Nkata, Patrick Alisafasi and Vincent Mukaha.
Former Eastern Lions’ captain Muchineripi Waerera and Zimbabwe youth international Roy Mwenga are also set to give the side the depth they need.
Buffaloes last played Premiership football in 2001 with combative former Warriors midfielder Lazarus Muhoni being the driving force behind the team.
The side finished with 27 points and in 14th position and were relegated alongside Circle United and Eiffel Flats. Over the years, Buffaloes have lived in the shadows of fellow army side Black Rhinos but now
Mugurasave believes it’s the time to turn the tide.
Rhinos are still wallowing in Division One football in the Northern Region.
“Our focus this season is to stay in the Premiership.
“We want to survive relegation at the end of the season and then take up the challenges from next year.
“But we will try hard to fight in the cup games,” said Mugurasave.
Buffaloes are one of three sides promoted into the Premier League from Division One last season.
Quelaton came from the Southern Region with Harare City winning the championship from the Northern Region but uncertainty still surrounds their fate.
The champions from the Central Region will be decided in the boardroom because Hardboard and Triple B are locked in a bitter boardroom dispute.
Online Reporter