The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
BUFFALOES coach Dananai Chinowawa admitted that his charges are firmly in the Zifa Eastern Region Division One title race after overcoming struggling “new boys” Chipinge Stars 2-1 to pile pressure on the log leaders Tenax FC.
Tenax FC stuttered to a 2-1 defeat against Greenfuels a forty-night ago, and Buffaloes FC was the major beneficiaries of that stumble as they closed the gap between them and the log leaders to just two points.
Buffaloes beat Chipinge Stars 2-1 last weekend away in Chipinge. The result saw the army side taking their points tally to 37 while the league leaders are at 39. Their win however provided ample proof that the army side remain very much in the mix as the title race gets hotter.
Their progress since Dananai Chinowawa took over the reins has been undeniable and their recent results have turned doubters into believers.
Chinowawa warns his charges about complacency. He feels they need to be cautious with their remaining fixtures. Chinowawa said he has to ensure that there was no complacency among his players.
The army side will host the “Slaughter boys” Surrey this weekend.
“We produced good results last weekend. Our ambitions remain the same. We want to be champions. In this competition there are no points that will come on a silver platter. We have to fight very hard for every point let alone three points and I think the biggest challenge we have is to get these players to respect these so called little teams and not under-estimate them. Every team wants to win but we will also give it our best shot and get three points,” he said.
Tenax gaffer, Blessing Madombi is not worried that his title rivals have closed the gap.
Madombi said the most important thing is they are still on top of the standings and they are not reading much into their opponents.
“We are still on top of the standings with two points. We are not worried at all. I am not looking at other teams but I am focusing on my team. I am positive about gaining promotion. This week we are expecting a positive result against Melfort since we will be playing at home. I believe we can maintain the top spot and, if we can maintain we can gain promotion,” he said.
Weekend fixtures
Greenfuels v Chipinge Stars, Tenax FC v Melfort, Mutare City Rovers v Bikita, FC Makaha v Mwenezana, Grayham v United Lions, Ruwa Town v Renco Mine, Buffaloes v Surrey, Chiredzi Stars v Masvingo United.
