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BUFFALOES FC head coach, Saul Chaminuka, will be hoping to register his first win since re-joining the army side when his team faces correctional service outfit, Flame Lily in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match slated for Sakubva Stadium on Sunday.
The veteran gaffer is yet to win a match since taking over the reigns in June this year from Joseph ‘Shaba’ Takaringofa, who was caretaker coach at Buffaloes following the abrupt departure of Moses Chunga just 10 days before the start of the 2015 season.
As it stands, Watungwa Watungwa, as the army side is affectionately referred to, is seated precariously on position 14 with 18 points. The team has played 20 matches and managed to win just three, drew nine times and lost eight times.
Only Whawha and Dongo Sawmills are trailing Buffaloes FC, a situation that makes the Buffaloes-Flame Lily match a must win match.
In their last encounter, the army side salvaged a point away from home when they played Harare City thanks to Jacob Muzokomba’s late equaliser.
Chaminuka made several changes to the team that lost two-nil to exciting Chicken Inn at Sakubva Stadium a fortnight ago and these include goalkeeper, Blessing Mwandimutsira who came in for out-of-soughts, Hope Bere, while hard-tackling Prosper “Zhake” Matambanadzo replaced the injured Takunda Jeffrey.
Jeffrey will definitely not feature in Sunday’s match due to injury.
Although former Eagles FC and Dynamos FC striker, Clive Kawinga, who showed some sparks of brilliance during the Chicken Inn and Harare City matches, he is yet to make a mark after joining the army side during the transfer window.
Mwandimutsira who had a good game between the posts against Harare City is on Sunday expected to play in the first 11 ahead of Chengetai Tandadzai and Hope Bere who could not attend the team’s training session on Wednesday at Sakubva Stadium due to undisclosed reasons.
In an interview, the army side’s assistant coach, Joseph ‘Shaba’ Takaringofa, said the “grey patch” the team was experiencing was over and fans should look forward to a rejuvenated Buffaloes that would start bagging maximum points from the Flame Lily match.
He, however, bemoaned the lack of professionalism by local referees as well as biased refereeing, saying it had contributed immensely to the team’s dismal performances.
“This is a must win match. We should win at all cost and my boys are ready for the showdown. Honestly, we have been playing quite well, but the referees are not being fair with us.
We have countless matches that we believe if referees had done their job well, we could win or make life difficult for our opponents. With a bit of luck we could have beaten Harare City, but the situation just could not allow because the referees made questionable decisions that clearly demotivated my players,” he said.
“However, we want to assure our fans that the grey patch is over. We want to start winning matches and we will start this weekend. The team is in great shape and everyone is raring to go.
We know it will not be easy because Flame Lily will be aiming to claim our scalp, but we believe we have enough arsenal to upstage them at home,” he added.
Shabba’s main worry, however, was lack of support by the 12th player – the fans – a situation he described as “unfortunate” and demotivating.
“Where are Mutare fans? Where are the supporters? We need them. We need support and motivation especially in times like these. We therefore urge our fans to come in numbers and support their team,” said Shabba.
The PSL debutants, Flame Lily, just like Buffaloes are not safe either, as they have been blowing hot and cold and occasionally faltered when it mattered most.
Although the team is seated on position 12, they have the same number of points and games with Buffaloes and can sink deeper into the murky waters of relegation if they falter to the latter on Sunday.
The prisons wardens coach, Backlyfield Chivenga, finally remembered how to win last Saturday after they edged Chapungu 2 – 1 in a shocker played at Lafarge.
It was Chivenga’s first ever victory since he took over from Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera seven matches ago.
Apparently, they are determined to garner another set of three points if lady luck comes their way.
Both teams desperately need a win and that makes the encounter a potential thriller.
Elsewhere, log leaders, Chicken Inn will be hoping to maintain their four-point lead against second-placed Triangle when they face Bulawayo giants, Highlanders FC at Barbourfields Stadium in a potential thriller, while in another potentially explosive encounter, Triangle will be hoping to dislodge FC Platinum to enhance their realistic chance of clinching their first ever championship silverware.
Harare giants, Dynamos who last weekend nearly bagged all the three points if it wasn’t for Stephen Alimenda’s classic own goal against debutants Tsholotsho will lock horns with Luke “Vahombe” Masomere’s How Mine in a match that could go either way.
This weekend’s fixtures
Saturday
ZPC Kariba FC vs Whawha FC
Sunday
Triangle United FC v FC Platinum, Hwange FC v Harare City FC, Highlanders FC v Chicken Inn FC, Chapungu FC v Caps United FC Ascot Stadium, Dongo Sawmill FC v Tsholotsho FC Vengere Stadium, Dynamos FC v How Mine FC.
Online Reporter