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DOMESTIC Premiership moneybags, FC Platinum face Buffaloes FC at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday as coach Saul Chaminuka continues with his hunt for a maiden set of maximum points since his return to the army side.
The match starts at 3pm.
Chaminuka returned to Buffaloes about a month ago and his first assignment was a forgettable 1-4 defeat at the hands of FC Platinum away at Mandava Stadium.
The former ZPC Kariba coach went on to settle for a one-all stalemate against How Mine at Sakubva Stadium before suffering a slender 0-1 loss to How Mine in a back-to-back league encounter away at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo.
And Sunday presents a perfect opportunity for Chaminuka, not only to celebrate sweet revenge against the Zvishavane platinum miners, but also enjoy the feeling of collecting maximum points since his return to the Mutare side.
Thus Buffaloes FC skipper and defence lynchpin, Phillip Chandisaita, has vowed to fight for maximum points on Sunday on home turf.
In an interview, Chandisaita said his team would want to redeem their lost pride and was optimistic that his team could turn the tables and upset the visiting moneybags.
“We are working very hard and we believe that this time we will get it right. Everyone is giving 100 percent effort since we are fighting relegation. We know very we that it is not going to be an easy encounter, but we will do our best and make use of home advantage,” he said.
The Buffaloes captain, whose team is almost becoming used to playing before a nearly empty Sakubva Stadium, urged the supporters to come in their numbers and rally behind them.
“It is sad that we no longer have the numbers that we would have wanted to have as a club. Maybe it also has to do with the results that we have been having of late. It has not been rosy on the field of play in terms of results, hence the fight to evade relegation.
“However, we know that with the help of our fans, we will perform better and get the results that we want. I really want to urge all soccer loving people in Mutare to spare their hard earned $3 and come to support us as we fight to keep Mutare’s slot in the country’s top-flight league.
“We really want to thank our supporters for their undying love. We promise them that this time we will get it right and not disappoint them,” the former Masvingo United and Grainmasters player, who joined the army side in 2012 and took charge of the arm band last year.
Buffaloes FC are just above the relegation cut off slot, 12th on the table after amassing 16 points from as many rounds of league matches.
Their Sunday’s opponents, FC Platinum are within Premiership title shouting distance, lying fifth on the table with a tally of 25 points from 16 rounds of league matches.
Elsewhere in Manicaland, Premiership basement outfit, Dongo Sawmill are hosting championship-chasing Chicken Inn at Vengere Stadium on Sunday.
The weeping boys of Rusape, to their credit, managed to snatch four points from their back-to-back mid season clash against fellow relegation candidates WhaWha. The Shadreck Mugurasave-coach side edged WhaWha by a solitary goal at Vengere three weeks ago before they held the Gweru correctional services outfit to a one-all stalemate at Ascot Stadium in the return leg.
Saturday
Flame Lily FC v Tsholotsho FC (Lafarge Stadium); ZPC Kariba FC v Triangle United FC (Nyamhunga Stadium); Chapungu FC v Whawha FC (Ascot Stadium 1400hrs SS):
Sunday
Dongo Sawmill FC v Chicken Inn FC (Vengere Stadium); Hwange FC v How Mine FC (Colliery Stadium); Highlanders FC v Dynamos FC (Barbourfields Stadium 1500hrs SS); Buffaloes FC v FC Platinum (Sakubva Stadium); Caps United FC v Harare City FC (National Sports Stadium).
Online Reporter