Poly proves a point

Senior Sports Reporter
MUTARE Polytechnic has all, but confirmed that the so-called title favourites in the Eastern Region Division One League are ordinary teams that could still drop points at any rate.

Now playing under the tutelage of unknown Tawanda Mabariza, who took over the reins at midseason, Poly – the only polytechnic in the country competing at this level of the game – have spent the greater part the season anchoring the Zifa Eastern Region Division One league log, but their recent results give a different perception of the club.

Barely a month after basement outfit Mutare Poly staged a Houdini Act by humiliating Tanex in a 1-0 triumph at Sakubva Stadium, the College Boys caused yet another major upset last weekend when they held high flying log leaders, Hartley Academy to a goalless draw at the same venue.

“As for me, it is about getting the result. The boys did not have a winning mentality that is needed if a team has to compete well. I am happy that I managed to instil that winning mentality and the belief in oneself. “With the help of the players that I came in with and the ones who were there already we are gelling into a formidable unit,” said Mabariza.

The result in the match pitting Mutare Polytechnic and Hartley Academy reduced log leaders Hartley’s tally at the summit of the table to just two points ahead of second placed Mutare City Rovers.

Suddenly, the Premiership promotional aspirants Mutare City Rovers are seeing light at the end of the tunnel hence the declaration by their coach that they will not put their foot off the pedal until it is game over.

“We are indeed going to be vigilant.

We do not want to keep making the same mistake. We have been part of this race for quite some time now and we will make sure that in the remaining games we do not lose points anyhow.

“I am aware that small teams are very unpredictable especially at this stage of the league. Look at Hartley who are on top and they went on to be held by a team at the bottom of the table. Therefore, we cannot afford to underestimate Black Eagles, the team we are going to play this weekend at Sakubva Stadium. All we want are maximum points at the end of the match,” said Kachara.

In fact, Rovers will this weekend have a real chance of assuming the Zifa Eastern Region Division One top spot if this weekend’s league match results go their way. City Rovers are taking on lowly Black Eagles in match that the Municipal outfit is widely expected to make light work of their opponents to collect three priceless points.

Correctional Services side Tanex will engage log leaders Hartley Academy in a potentially explosive encounter whose result might leave Mutare City Rovers assuming the log leaders’ position, only if Tanex wins.

After all, even though Hartley Academy will be playing at home against the Mutare correctional services outfit, a Tanex victory could still be possible as Hartley have also proved to be an ordinary side following their last weekend’s goalless stalemate against basement outfit Mutare Polytechnic.

Last Weekend’s Results:

Tanex FC 1, Mutoko Traders 0; Renco Mine 1, Mutare City Rovers 3; Gutu FC 2, Masvingo United 2; Prime Rangers 3, FC Three Leaves 1; Mutare Polytechnic 0, Hartley Academy 0; Black Eagles 0, Ruwa Gunners 0; Mwenezana 3, Gaza Gunners 0; Masvingo City Dortmund 1, Melfort 0:

Fixtures:

Mutare City Rovers v Black Eagles; ZRP Masvingo v Renco Mine; Masvingo United v Surrey Abattoirs; FC Three Leaves v Gutu FC; Mwenezana v Prime Rangers; Mutoko Traders v Masvingo City Dortmund; Hartley Academy v Tanex; Ruwa Gunners v Mutare Polytechnic; Gaza Gunners v Melfort.