Hartley, Tenax face-off

Senior Sports Reporter
THE Eastern Region Division One League season will have its customary mid-season break this weekend, but Tenax and log leaders, Hartley Academy clash in a potentially explosive encounter at Sakubva on Sunday to make up for a game in hand.

Tenax and Hartley Academy are the only teams that have played 16 matches, others have fulfilled their 17 assignments.

The match between the two teams was not played after Tenax were invited to take part in correctional services teams’ competitions on the same date the match was initially scheduled.

Zifa Eastern Region secretary, Simba Wisdom, confirmed that Tenax and Hartley Academy will play their game in hand at Sakubva Stadium on Sunday.

Wisdom also confirmed that all the other teams will be on a mid-season break.

“We have reached the mid-season break and we will have our usual break. Action in the Eastern Region Division One league will commence next weekend.

“However, we will have the game in hand between Hartley Acdemy and Tenax FC played on Sunday at Sakubva Stadium. The match was initially postponed after Tenax were invited to participate in correctional services teams’ competitions,” said Wisdom.

Tenax coach, Ndega Matsika, said they were preparing for the match against Hartley Academy just like any other match.

“We are aware that Hartley Academy is on top of the log table and the team has been playing well. We respect them for that, but that does not mean we fear them. We are in the same league and we believe we can match or even surpass their standards.

“We will prepare for the match against Hartley just like we have prepared for every other team in the league. We just want to urge soccer loving people of Mutare to come and support us as we also endeavour to get yet another Premiership slot for Mutare,’ said Matsika.

His opposite number, Taku Shariwa, who is basking in the glory of guiding Hartley into this memorable purple patch in the championship campaign, was also singing from the same verse, saying they would fulfil the fixture just all the others they have played this season.

“I do not think there is anything out of the ordinary about that match. We will play it and all we want from it are the three points while they (Tenax) will also be fighting for the three points, such is the game of football. We hope the better team of the day wins,” said Shariwa.