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CASTLE Premier Soccer League outfit Buffaloes Football Club coach Moses “Bambo” Chunga said he was treating his side’s encounter against Dynamos on Sunday as an ordinary fixture that does not require special attention. League action returns this weekend after a week’s absence following the One-Wallet-Cup final which saw Triangle beating Dynamos last Sunday.
In the reverse fixture played in Harare early this year, DeMbare were humbled 1-0 courtesy of the army side’s solitary strike by lethal goal poacher Roy “Apama” Mwenga.
And now Buffaloes look set to repeat the same feat at Sakubva Stadium against the Kalisto Pasuwa-coached side they sank 3-2 at the same venue last season.
DeMbare are a wounded lot after their last defeat at the hands of relegation-haunted Triangle and another loss to Chunga’s men will inflict more pain and cause more trouble to log leaders who are leading the championship race.
Affectionately known as Watungwa Watunga, the soldiers desperately need a win to escape from the jaws of relegation.
In their last three matches under Bambo’s tutelage, Buffaloes defeated Triangle at Sakubva, lost to FC Platinum in Zvishavane and drew with Highlanders in Bulawayo.
The army side is on position eight with 33 points, while DeMbare are on top of the log standings with 46 points. Both teams are left with six matches.
In an interview, during the team’s training session at Mutare Show Grounds on Wednesday, the bubbly Chunga said there were no injury scares in the squad.
He said every player was physically fit and well psyched for the match. “As you can see we are preparing well. This is normal training and we are happy that every player is in shape for the match. There is nothing special about Sunday’s match.
“Maybe what is different is the intense desire my players have to win the match considering that we are not safe from relegation. We are ready for the match and we hope to come up with maximum points. But we are ready to shine against the log leaders. I told my boys that every game is important and our main goal is to amass maximum points on the day. Maybe you need to know something about me. As a coach I don’t put importance on one game. I treat all matches equally,” said Chunga.
From the five matches both teams have played against each other, from 2012, Dynamos won three, while Buffaloes won two.
The vast experienced coach, however, hopes match officials for the day won’t spoil the potentially intriguing encounter.
Last year’s encounter between the two teams at Sakubva Stadium was spoiled by poor match officiating.
“I hope the referees will do their job. I understand the pressure they will be under when handling such tricky matches, but we hope they will do their best. As from this Sunday I hope all PSL matches across Zimbabwe will be played at the same time to encourage fair play,” added the outspoken coach.
He encouraged the Mutare community to come in their numbers and support their local team for the development of the game.
Dynamos team manager Richard Chihoro said they were coming to Mutare to collect maximum points and nothing less.
“The last time we came to Mutare Buffaloes stunned us 3-2. It was a tightly contested match, but this time we will make sure that we win at all costs. We need the three points and nothing less. We are left with just six matches and we cannot afford to lose any points. We are ready for the match and we are coming to Mutare to collect maximum points,” said Chihoro.
The match starts at 3pm.
The army side team secretary, Arnold Gatsi, said all seven gates would be opened at 12 noon.
He urged people to come early to avoid embarrassment and inconveniences.
The rest of the ground will part with $3, while the VIPs will pay $5.
“We were unlucky that most of our previous matches against Dynamos were played during mid-week when most soccer lovers were at work. It is quite a privilege that this time we are facing them during the weekend. It is not a secret that most premiership sides, including ourselves, are financially struggling, so we urge people to come in numbers and support us.
This will motivate our players and it would also work to our advantage financially. People should come and support us. We also urge them to come in time to avoid long queues and inconveniences,” said Gatsi.
Elsewhere, title contenders ZPC Kariba will entertain Triangle at Gwanzura, while Zvishavane-based miners FC Platinum will travel to Harare for a date with Harare City at Rufaro.
On Sunday, Caps United will host embattled Bulawayo side Highlanders which is now under the tutelage of interim coach Mark Mathe at National Sports Stadium, while relegation-threatened side Shabanie Mine square off with Chapungu at Maglas on the same day.
Fixtures:
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Black Rhinos FC (Hartsfield Rugby Ground); Chiredzi v Bantu Rovers (Chishamiso); ZPC Kariba v Triangle United (Gwanzura) and Harare City v FC Platinum (Rufaro).
Sunday: Buffaloes v Dynamos (Sakubva Stadium); CAPS United v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium); Shabanie Mine v Chapungu FC (Maglas) and Hwange v How Mine (Colliery).
Online Reporter