The ManicaPost
Post Correspondent
ALL football roads in Mutare will tomorrow (Saturday) lead to Sakubva Stadium where a mouthwatering Zifa Eastern Region Division One clash is on the platter as Mutare City Rovers and Tenax square off.
The two championship-chasing sides will cross swords in this double-edged top-of-the-table clash, with the prized three points and bragging rights at stake.
With the race for Premiership promotion heating up and entering its 11th week, there is everything to fight for between these two early pacesetters in the marathon.
Matches between the two teams have traditionally been closely fought contests and Mutare City Rovers team manager Lyndon Kanyemba is expecting another tough battle from the correctional services outfit.
“Games of this nature are usually difficult but we as GushaBhora are geared for combat and raring to go. This is one match we are eager to win so that we stay among the leading pack in the league as we fight for the championship that comes with promotion into the Premiership.
“Also, that we are playing at Sakubva will provide us with a good platform to present a perfect gift to our loyal home following and cheer their spirits so that they continue rallying behind us for the remainder of the season. Against Tenax, this is one game that we cannot afford to lose after suffering another setback against Buffaloes recently. We have to win on Saturday (tomorrow) to keep pace with other early league leaders,” a confident Kanyemba told Post Sport this week.
The seasoned football administrator added that their ultimate goal is to return onto the big stage of the domestic game – the Premiership. And this is one game that the former Premier Soccer League side will be eager to win after going down 0-1 in another local derby at home to Buffaloes a fortnight ago.
As well as banking on their past experience to earn them elevation into the elite league, Mutare City Rovers also boast sound sponsorship backing; Kanyemba asserted.
“As a club we are happy with the material we have at our disposal. We have a good squad and competitive team that can do the business and deliver. Another positive aspect is that we have since put all the challenges that have been bedeviling this group behind us and are now a functional and effective unit that has what it takes to challenge for honours,” Kanyemba cooed.
The 2015 and 2017 Zifa Eastern Region Division One champions are set to unleash some of their seasoned players among whom include gunslingers Kudakwashe Gurure and Agrippa Murimba as well as steely defender Lincoln Mangaira and Gift Jimu. Mussa Madhiri, an exciting signing from Dynamos, is also expected to be heavily involved in the thick of action and star for his team during their march to glory.
Both Mutare City Rovers and Tenax picked up crucial victories in their previous matches and will be out to pick up maximum points and add to their tally. GushaBhora overpowered GreenFuel 1-0 away in Chisumbanje, while Chauya Chikara dismissed visiting Masvingo United 2-1.The municipal side sit four places below their cross-town rivals on fifth with 16 points, 10 less than tomorrow’s table-topping derby opponents.
Eastern Region Division One Fixtures:
Mutare City Rovers vs Tenax; Grayham vs Buffaloes; Ruwa Progroup vs Chiredzi Stars; Bikita Minerals vs Chipinge Stars; Masvingo United vs Melfort; Mwenezana vs Surrey; FC Makaha vs GreenFuel; United Lions vs Renco Mine.
