The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter—
BUFFALOES coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere has distanced himself from rumours that he will be joining struggling Bulawayo side How Mine, saying he is now concentrating on helping the Mutare side survive relegation. After How Mine had coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube resigning following a streak of poor results, speculation was rife that the Bulawayo side is courting Masomere.
The self-styled ‘‘doctor of football’’ was not on the bench when Buffaloes conspired to disappoint and were booted out of the Chibuku Super Cup on Sunday, of all places and opponents, at Sakubva Stadium against basement outfit Chiredzi.
In a telephone interview from Harare where he is attending a two-week Caf A coaching licence course, Masomere said he was not bitter that his team lost to Chiredzi.
He said he was now committed to helping his team survive relegation and play in the same tournament next season.
“People will always talk what they want, but I am going back to Mutare to resume my duties at Buffaloes after this course comes to an end on Sunday.
“I am committed to Buffaloes and I just want to concentrate on things that will make it a better team. Yes, they lost to Chiredzi in the Chibuku Super Cup, but I am not really bitter about it. It is better to lose a cup game and survive relegation simply because you still want to play in the same competition next season.
“We lost to Chiredzi simply because it is a competition and one team progresses. That team was Chiredzi. That is how the game of football goes. We are now carrying on with our mission to survive relegation,” said Masomere.
Buffaloes picked themselves up from that disappointing Chibuku Super Cup early exit and secured an important away point on Wednesday when they held How Mine 1-1 at Hartsfield Grounds in Bulawayo.
The veteran gaffer praised his backroom staff as well as his players for that ‘‘impressive result’’.
“I think the away draw against How Mine is an impressive result. I am really delighted about it. It makes my job easier as I carry on with the season. In fact, I want to thank my assistant as well as the players for a job well done,” he said.
Wednesday’s results
How Mine 1, Buffaloes 1; Harare City 3, Bantu Rovers 2; Chapungu 3, ZPC Kariba 0; Shabanie Mine 0, CAPS United 0; Chiredzi FC 0, Chicken Inn 1; Black Rhinos 0, FC Platinum 1:
Weekend fixtures
Saturday: Harare City FC v How Mine FC (Rufaro Stadium); Chicken Inn FC v Shabanie Mine FC (Hartsfield Grounds); ZPC Kariba FC v Bantu Rovers FC (Gwanzura Stadium):
Sunday: Buffaloes FC v Black Rhinos FC (Sakubva Stadium); Triangle United FC v Dynamos FC (Gibbo Stadium); Hwange FC v Chiredzi FC (Colliery Stadium); Caps United FC v Chapungu FC (Rufaro Stadium); FC Platinum v Highlanders FC (Mandava Stadium).
