adminTakudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
EASTERN STARS will be banking on home advantage when they engage Zifa Eastern Region Division One soccer league log leaders Buffalo Junior at Rudhaka this afternoon.
The Kotwa-based outfit are lying third on the table and take on Buffalo Junior, who are two points ahead of them in the major highlight of Week 10 in the Eastern Region Division One soccer league.
Elisha Mukusa, the Eastern Stars coach, said he was hopeful his side would rise to the occasion.
“I think playing at Rudhaka will give us a slight advantage but Buffalo Junior are an experienced team which we will not underrate,” said Mukusa.
“The good thing is we are scoring and I hope our strikers will continue with the good form and produce a positive result.
“We are well prepared and we have a healthy squad which is well motivated.” Mukusa also believes that a positive result today could have a huge bearing on where they finish in their campaign this season.
“The outcome of the game may prove crucial in determining our standing at the end of the season so it is an important game for us,” said the coach.
“It may be early to talk of the title race but the outcome will help us review our progress after the 10 games.”
The débutantes were in Division Two last season and have come roaring and are challenging for a place in the Premiership next year.
Second-placed Tenax are away to Masvingo United.
Tenax beat Mwenezana 4-1 in their last match and face a Masvingo United who have also re-discovered their winning formula.
Zifa Eastern Region Fixtures
Mutare City v Chivhu Stars (Sakubva); Ruwa United v Surrey (Rudhaka); Mwenezana v Gaza Gunners (Mwenezi); Masvingo United v Tenax (Mucheke); FC Three Leaves v Mutare Poly (Durama); Eastern Stars v Buffalo Junior (Rudhaka); Gutu v ZRP Masvingo (Paradise) Black Eagles v Renco Mine (Gaza).
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