Mutare City open lead

Ray Bande Mutare Bureau
MUNICIPAL outfit Mutare City Rovers have opened a four-point gap at the summit of the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One log as teams based in the eastern border city continue to dominate the race for the coveted Premiership slot. Log leaders Mutare City Rovers, correctional services side Tenax and army outfit Buffaloes make up the top three clubs in the race for the 2017 Eastern Region Division One championship.

Rovers, who have amassed 45 points from 20 rounds of league matches, are now four points clear of Tenax, who are in second position.

City Rovers hammered Mutoko Traders 5-2 at Sakubva on Saturday on a day when Tenax dropped two points when they settled for a 1-1 stalemate against Masvingo army side United Lions FC.

Third placed Buffaloes, however, got the better of Bikita Minerals 2-1.

There are 10 rounds of league matches remaining before the curtain comes down on the 2017 season.

The Kenny Kachara-coached City Rovers, who are gunning for a quick return to the domestic top-flight league football, have shown consistency in recent months, winning their matches home and away.

Mutare City Rovers coach, Kenny ”Bokande” Kachara, is happy with his team’s consistency.

“I think my boys are doing well by maintaining the momentum. They know what they want and it is good that we are collecting points both at home and away.

“As a team, we just want to keep collecting points and we are not really worried about what happens elsewhere. Our aim is never to drop points regardless of who our opponents are.

“The race is far from over. We will not be flattered by the four-point gap because we know we can be overtaken by competitors in this race.

”We really cannot afford to be complacent. We just have to keep collecting maximum points from every encounter and I think we are equal to the task,” said Kachara.