Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
NO doubt, the curtain is rising for the final scene!
In a fortnight, the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Division One League will know its 2025 champions after the last two remaining rounds of fixtures, starting this weekend.
But it is the clash pitting league leaders, FC Hunters and second-placed Tenax FC, scheduled for Rudhaka Stadium on Sunday, that will set the tone for a nail-biting finish to the season.
For some strange reason, the fixtures in the last two rounds of league matches will leave the championship race being decided on the last day of the season.
FC Hunters, with 63 points, will face Tenax at home on Sunday in Marondera, before wrapping up their 2025 season away against La Murambinda in Buhera. Tenax, with 61 points, will clash against FC Hunters, before completing their 2025 season at home against fellow title aspirants, Masvingo United. Masvingo United, also on 61 points, will host unpredictable Manica Diamonds Juniors at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo on Sunday, before embarking on a trip if they had their way, they would have avoided it, when they travel to Mutare to face Tenax FC on the final day of the 2025 season. Log leaders, FC Hunters coach, Clifford Dzvairo, believes his club needs to stay humble until the end.
“It is getting interesting, to be honest, and it is now a bit tighter than before.
No one is certain of what is going to happen next Sunday. The beauty of the Eastern Region lies in its competitive nature, as you are seeing this season. It is actually good for football.
“Our chances are very big. With how these guys performed last Sunday, and how they are believing in themselves, I am confident of reaching the Promised Land. On the other hand, we need to make sure that we remain humble and try to take it one game at a time. This is a race; anyone has a chance to win it at the end of the day – hopefully, we will,” he said.
Tenax FC head coach, Blessing Madombi, said he is not reading too much into their competitors’ chances of clinching the title, but is concentrating on collecting maximum points in the remaining two rounds of league matches.
“Well, the race has reached its boiling point, and no team wants to drop points among the top three teams – FC Hunters, Tenax and Masvingo United. However, as Tenax, we are not really concentrating on what others are doing. We are keeping our focus on our team and making sure we no longer drop points until the end of the season. We have two rounds of league matches left – one away to FC Hunters and the other at home against Masvingo United.
“What that basically means is that if we are able to collect six points, then the championship is ours. We are working very hard to ensure that we bring another Premiership franchise to Mutare. It will be good to have two teams in the top-flight from Mutare. The good thing is that this has come at a time when our team has improved significantly in terms of fluidity. We are now scoring goals and are in good shape. It is going to be an exciting two weeks as we get to the end of the season,” said Madombi.
