adminRay Bande Senior Sports Reporter
TROUBLESOME Mutare correctional services side Tenax, know well the importance of outplaying log leaders, Masvingo United on Sunday at Sakubva if they are to remain within shouting distance in this riveting title race.
The match starts at 3pm.
It is proving to be a tightly contested race for Premiership promotion in the Zifa Eastern Region Division One League where all the teams in the top half of the latest table mathematically have a chance to end up winners this season even though the season teeters into Week 13.
Log leaders, Masvingo United have amassed 24 points, the same number of points with second placed, Hartley Academy, while Prime Rangers are in third position with 23 points and inconsistent Mutare City Rovers in fourth position with 22 points.
Rovers have the same number of points with another Masvingo side, Masvingo City Dortmund.
However, Tenax, who are currently lying seventh with 19 points can still work their way to the top of the table and winning Sunday’s match against the log leaders will boost their chances of gunning for the title.
Interestingly, Flame Lily misfit, Farai Mugumwa will be on the spotlight when he features on Sunday in his second match since his recent return to Tenax.
Mugumwa failed to click at relegation haunted Premiership outfit Flame Lily and an injury upon arrival must have unsettled the player hence his return.
Mugumwa, a talented attacking midfielder in his own right, returned to Tenax last weekend and played a crucial role in the Mutare correctional services side’s 5-0 thrashing of ZRP Masvingo away in Masvingo.
He was on target and also provided two assists.
A member of the team’s executive, Henry Marapira, confirmed Mugumwa’s return and expressed hope that his team will prevail on Sunday.
“Yes, the young man is back with us and we are happy that he fitted well into system upon his return just like when he was here before. We rely on him on creativity in the middle of the park and we have no doubt that he will add value to the team.
“No doubt, we will give it our best shot. We hope to win against Masvingo United. We are aware that it will not be an easy assignment, but we will strive to give it the best shot and God will take care of everything else,” Marapira said.
The soft-spoken football administrator refused to declare his team’s Premiership promotion aspirations.
“One thing that is obvious is that every team in the league aspires to gain Premiership promotion otherwise they have no business being part of that league.
“However, as Tenax we will not put ourselves under unnecessary pressure by publicly declaring that we are vying for the championship. We will take each game as it comes and hope to get the result that we want in each passing fixture,” he said.
Results
Mutare City Rovers 1, Masvingo City Dortmund 1; Prime Rangers 0, Surrey 0; Masvingo United 3, Mutare Polytechnic 0; ZRP Masvingo 0, Tenax 5; Mwenezana 1, Renco Mine 1; Hartley Academy 2, Mutoko Traders 1; Ruwa Gunners 1, Melfort 3; Gaza Gunners 1, Gutu 1; FC Three Leaves 1, Black Eagles 1.
Fixtures
Surrey v Gutu; Renco Mine v Prime Rangers FC; Black Eagles FC v Mwenezana FC; Mutare Polytechnic v FC Three Leaves; Tanex v Masvingo United; Masvingo City Dortmund v ZRP Masvingo; Melfort v Mutare City Rovers; Mutoko Traders v Ruwa Gunners; Hartley Academy v Gaza Gunners.
Online Reporter