Online Reporter
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
WITH competition in the Pacific Storm ZIFA Eastern Region Division One taking a two-week break, the breather has presented the league and clubs with respite to reflect on how the championship marathon has panned out so far while also getting geared for the second half of the campaign.
All but two clubs in the 15-team league have played 14 rounds of fixtures and there is still plenty to play for.
Mutare-based prisons and correctional services outfit Tenax CS lead proceedings with 37 points, two ahead of closet rivals FC Hunters of Marondera.
Former Premiership sides Masvingo United (32), Buffaloes (27) and Mutare City Rovers (20) complete the top five.
On the opposite end of the table, Manica Diamonds Juniors (7) are finding the going tough as they anchor the table, while Renco Mine (8) and St Paul’s Musami (9) are also in relegation trouble despite having played one game less.
On current form, the pacesetting duo of Chauya Chikara and the Clever Boys look set to slug it out for the sole ticket to Premiership promotion.
It has largely been a see-saw affair at the summit as the two teams have over the recent past games exchanged leadership of the race.
In rescheduled matches last weekend, Tenax wrested top spot again following their 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Murambinda at Chisamba Ground, while Masvingo United beat FC Wangu Mazodze by a similar scoreline to grab the bragging rights in the Masvingo local Derby.
ZIFA Eastern Region chairman, Wisdom Simba confirmed that the league was on pause and will resume mid-month.
“The league has taken a well-deserved break after completing fixtures for the first half of the season. We are now at the halfway of the marathon for the championship. We hope that this period will allow all the clubs to reflect on the campaign and also adequately prepare for the return matches. Resumption is set for July 19,” said Simba.
The seasoned administrator said the bar has been raised in the league, with competition reaching another level.
“So far so good with the competition. We have hardly had any cases of disturbances reported at match venues and our games have largely been incident-free. We implore all the teams to uphold that spirit. This scenario gives full value to the league, our sponsors and the fans as a whole.
“Besides Pacific Storm, another sponsor – Simon Muyambo’s Sim Jay – based in Chimanimani has come on board and have been providing the monetary rewards for the monthly awards to the best player, goalkeeper and coach. We grateful to our sponsors for partnering with us and our league is also increasing their brand visibility. Overall, the level of competition has improved and it is game on until the end of the season because every team stands to walk away with something for their efforts throughout the campaign,” said Simba.
The former Buffaloes footballer also commended the league’s principal sponsor – Pacific Storm – for their drive to refurbish match venues across the country.
“Venues that host the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One League across the country are receiving a new lease of life courtesy of our main sponsor Pacific Storm. Since this initiative started, the facilities that would have been spruced up are hosting matches dubbed “Game of the Month”. So far, this has been done at Mucheke, Rudhaka and Sakubva stadiums in Masvingo, Marondera and Mutare respectively. The next stop is at Vengere in Masvingo on August 2 when Buffaloes take on FC Wangu Mazodze,” said Simba.
He added that Pacific Storm covers all the expenses for the teams featuring in the “Game of the Month” and they also both receive a playing kit.
Simba said the league has also been holding monthly awards presentations to the player, coach and goalkeeper of the month since the season kicked off in April.
Tenax CS shot-stopper Phillip Makumi, Destiny Stars’ Nobert Zingo and Masvinga United gaffer Tongani Mugeji have been the recipients for the goalkeeper, player and coach of the month awards respectively for the month of June.
