adminRay Bande Senior Sports Reporter
BUFFALOES’ gaffer, Moses “Bambo” Chunga, believes his team has a fair chance of making history by bringing the coveted Castle Lager Premiership League title to Mutare, only if the army side gets financial injection.Chunga, who starts pre-season preparations on Tuesday at the Mutare Showgrounds, told this newspaper that the domestic league’s big three — Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders — are struggling to assemble their teams hence it presents an opportunity for other teams, Buffaloes included, to go for the title.
The maverick gaffer, who was in the eastern border city last Wednesday to finalise contractual agreements with the club executive, said he will be scouting for a goalkeeper and at least two strikers when his team commences preparations.
“We are starting our pre-season preparations on Tuesday, but there are grey areas that we need to address. The defence was not that bad, but I feel we need to add more depth in the strike-force.
“We were not scoring goals as much as I would have wanted. I am also hunting for a goalkeeper. I think we should be talking about the championship this season.
“If you look at Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders, they are having challenges to assemble their teams. This is an opportunity for other teams to go for the championship. I have no doubt that if we manage to get a bit of financial backing we will be able to compete for the title.
“With a bit of financial injection, we can surprise everyone,” he said. Asked whether defence link Tafadzwa Mombeshora and right-back Moses Gutu are indeed leaving the club, Chunga could neither confirm nor deny the rumour.
“It is normal to have so many rumours about players transferring during this period. We really cannot talk about rumours that are circulating.
“We will rather wait for the right time to come and see who will be around and who is leaving. It is obvious that we will have a few changes. Just a few changes not wholesome,” he said.
The former Warriors skipper urged soccer fans in Mutare to have a change of attitude and start rallying behind the team that represents them in the top-flight league.
“It appears soccer in Mutare is about personalities. Some supporters are inclined to certain individuals and teams yet we have only one team in the Premiership in Mutare and that team is supposed to unite us all.
“Whether one supports Tenax, Mutare City Rovers or any other team, when it comes to Premiership football, we should come together to support Buffaloes.
“That support is shown by attending home and even away matches,” he added.
The well-travelled mentor renewed his contract with Buffaloes after serving the Mutare soldiers for a few months last season soon after the departure of Luke Masomere.
Chunga took over a team in eighth place with 29 points from 21 matches and expectations were high in the eastern border city that he would secure a top four finish but he only managed to evade relegation to finish the season on tenth position.
Under Masomere, Buffaloes amassed 29 points after he won eight, drew five and lost eight matches.
Chunga came in with nine matches remaining and amassed 10 points as he managed to win three, drew once and lost five matches.
Chunga, who coached Dynamos, Caps United, Shabanie Mine and won the league title with Gunners in 2009, had been relieved of his duties at Chiredzi FC when he joined the Mutare side.
After Marange diamond concern, Mbada Diamonds, abruptly stopped their periodic handouts to the army side, the club struggled financially as it relied on paltry gate-takings and donations from its chairman, Hlanganiso Matangaidze, even up to now.
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