Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE only Eastern Region teams remaining in the Munhumutapa Cup are those affiliated to the Premier Soccer League, and little-known Chatidhege from Mashonaland East.
The rest will now follow the historic competition from the comfort of their homes after a preliminary round exit.
Jordan FC edged Eastern Region side, Destiny Stars by a solitary goal to progress, while Kwekwe United dismissed another Eastern Region outfit, Deportivo La Murambinda, 4-2 on penalties.
Buffaloes were beaten 1-0 by Luke ‘Jukulile’ Petros-coached Blanket Mine at Mutare Showgrounds last Sunday, and Hwange beat GreenFuel 3-0.
Chatidhege overcame Cheetahs 3-1.
Rusape City lost 1-3 to FC Oden, while Lowveld Development Football Academy suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Black Rock.
Several explanations have emerged for the early exit of Eastern Region teams from the tournament, among them an unfavourable draw that left most playing away from home, and generally mediocre standards in the region compared to others.
Eastern Region chairman, Wisdom Simba said: “First, I would attribute the absence of Eastern Region teams to the draw, 90 percent of my teams were drawn away, with only Buffaloes hosting. Destiny was away to White City, GreenFuel away to Hwange and Deportivo La Murambinda away to Kwekwe.”
Buffaloes secretary general, Aaron Dzvete, also believes the ouster of teams from the Eastern Region has nothing to do with being weaker on the field of play, citing his team as an example of being just unfortunate on a day they dominated.
“We were just unlucky, otherwise, we had more meaningful raids than Blanket. Literally, we were the better team though they looked more stable in defending,” said Dzvete.
James Lunga Meya, a South Africa-based businessman with strong ties to football in his hometown of Mutare, where he is fondly known as Hwetu, said: “The absence of Eastern Region clubs from the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 32 is a disappointing development for football in Manicaland. Whether it reflects stronger competition elsewhere or shortcomings within the region’s clubs, it highlights the need for greater investment in player development, club administration, and competitiveness. A national cup is at its best when every region is represented, and Eastern Region football will be eager to ensure this year’s absence is only temporary.”
Mutare-based staunch Dynamos and Liverpool fan, Munyaradzi Zinomwe, said: “Very painful for the Eastern Region. Some soul searching is needed. Even a glance at the PSL log at the moment shows that Eastern Region teams are anchoring the table.
“Maybe as a region we need to revisit our strategies and structures. Surely somewhere along the way we seem to be losing the plot. It was a heart-breaking defeat for Buffaloes last Sunday. I was at the Showground, and one mistake saw them being punished by the visiting Blanket Mine.”
List of remaining teams in the Munhumutapa Cup:
Blanket Mine (Central Region); Gwanda Pirates (Central Region); Kwekwe United (Central Region); FC Oden (Northern Region); Marere (Northern Region); MWOS U19 (Northern Region); Blackrock (Southern Region); Aqua Stars (Southern Region); Hwange (Southern Region); Jordan (Southern Region); Chilli FC (Midlands Province); Norton Big Boys (Mash West Province); Chatidhege (Mash East Province); Scottland Academy (Harare Province);
PSL Teams – Scottland; Hardrock; Dynamos; Ngezi Platinum; CAPS United; Herentals; Highlanders; Simba Bhora; FC Platinum; MWOS; Chicken Inn; Bulawayo Chiefs; ZPC Kariba; FC Hunters; Agama; TelOne; Manica Diamonds and Triangle.
Moffat Mungazi