Buffaloes held

Ray Bande Mutare Bureau
IT was a case of two points dropped than one gained as favourites Buffaloes were held to a goalless draw by stubborn Surrey FC at Vengere in Rusape on Saturday.

On the same day, log leaders Mutare City Rovers got the better of Africa Trust at Sakubva in Mutare, to extend the municipality-owned side’s lead at the summit of the table.

Mutare City’s win put into perspective Buffaloes’ loss of two valuable points in their draw against Surrey.

Buffaloes are in a bitter race for the league title, which also features two fellow Mutare-based teams — Mutare City Rovers and Tenax FC.

The dominance of the three Mutare-based teams in the Eastern region Division One League has given reasonable hope to football followers in the eastern border city of a resident top-flight league side in the 2018 Castle Lager Premiership season.

Mutare Correctional Services outfit — Tenax — walloped Mukanya Bullets 4-1 at Mutare Boys High grounds to jump into second place head of Buffaloes, who are now in third place.

Buffaloes coach Shadreck ‘Father’ Mugurasave said he is not worried by dropping points.

“Yes, this is not the result that we would have wanted, but that is not the end of the road. We will fight on. We are still confident that we will go all the way.

“We are now focusing on our next league match with nothing more than three points in mind. I am happy that my boys are aware of what we want and we are working towards that. I would have loved to win this match, but that is the name of the game,” said Mugurasave.

Mutare City Rovers gaffer Kenny ‘Bokande’ Kachara said his team will not be complacent because of the four-point lead they have opened at the summit of the table.

He said they will keep fighting for maximum points in every match without paying much attention to how other teams are playing.

“The match against Africa Trust was not easy. It was more of a local derby. I am happy that we managed to get the all-important three points and that is what we value most.

“We are fighting to get maximum points in every other match that we are playing. The race is so exciting, we are in the lead, but we are aware that it is no guarantee that we will win it. We are not paying too much attention on how other teams are playing.

“All we want is to get the three points from every other match that we play. That is our main aim. The race is still open and any team among those in the top seven can go all the way to win it,” said Kachara.