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Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER opening his account as Buffaloes mentor with a crucial away point when he restricted league title-chasing Highlanders to a one-all stalemate at Hartsfield Grounds in Bulawayo, Moses “Bambo” Chunga believes his team has the capacity to finish the season on a respectable position as well as make an impact in the remaining cup competition — the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
The respected legendary gaffer took over from Luke Masomere as Buffaloes coach and Wednesday’s away match against Highlanders was his first in charge. Though it could be early to judge after only one match so far in charge, forcing a draw away from home, let alone in Bulawayo against Highlanders, is an impressive start for Chunga at Buffaloes.
Neutrals could be tempted to believe that the veteran gaffer might be on a path to memorable achievements with the Mutare side and the maverick gaffer did not mince his words as he declared his intentions of ending the season on a respectable position on the table.
In a post-match interview on Wednesday, bubbly Chunga said apart from ending the season on a decent position, it would also be good for his newly found project to make a lasting impression in the remaining cup competition — the Mbada Diamonds Cup. “Credit goes to the boys for a good performance. They did really well. We have only been together with the players for about a week and the performance was quite good as they played according to instruction.
“Like always we take each game as it comes and obviously we have projections as a club. At the moment, my aim is to finish on a respectable position on the league table.
“It would also be nice to make our presence felt in the Mbada Cup, which is the remaining cup competition on the calendar for us. Without setting too much for ourselves that could be our aim for the reminder of the season,” said Chunga.
Buffaloes made a mess of their Chibuku Super Cup attempt when they were handed a rather humiliating 4-3 home defeat by lowly Chiredzi at Sakubva Stadium recently and their only hopes in a cup competition are now left in the Mbada Diamonds Cup which is scheduled for later this year.
However, for now, the Mutare Castle Lager Premiership side will have almost another two weeks to prepare for their next league assignment against Triangle at Sakubva Stadium. League action resumes next weekend as it paves way for the TM Pick n Pay challenge cup pitting Highlanders and Dynamos and the Zimbabwe National Army Commander’s charity cup final pitting CAPS United and FC Platinum at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow (Saturday).
Be that as it may, if Chunga’s hopes of ending the season on a respectable position are to be entertained, the match against Triangle at Sakubva Stadium next Sunday is a must-win encounter for the Mutare side.
Online Reporter