The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Correspondent
DEBUTANTS, Tenax will get their top-flight league campaign underway with a Chibuku Super Cup clash against Black Rhinos tomorrow (Saturday) at Sakubva and are hoping to go all the way in the competition.
The prison wardens are in the same Group Three pool together with Manica Diamonds, fellow newboys, Cranborne Bullets and seasoned campaigners,Black Rhinos. This cluster will be based at Sakubva Stadium.
All 18 teams are competing in the knockout tournament, played in a round-robin format at four venues across the country.
The Chibuku Super Cup competition is serving as a curtain raiser to the Premiership league which is expected to return in July.
However, Tenax are taking the competition seriously. Their defender, Joseph Jambo is optimistic of a fruitful outing.
“It is good to have football back after such a long while. We are coming out of a difficult time owing to the global Covid-19 pandemic which forced the suspension of all sporting activities and the long lay-off was a major drawback. However, we are geared to make the most of what we lost out on in the deferred 2020 season.
“This competition offers us a way back to playing football again. We welcome the development and relish the chance to participate in the tournament. It will give us our first taste of action in this division. As Tenax, we are not here just to make up numbers but fight for honours as well. Despite carrying the underdogs tag, we are capable of upsetting our rivals. We will give our best shot at the Chibuku Super Cup,” said the utility player.
Jambo said they will immediately hit the ground running because they are expecting stiff competition from their rivals.
Playing at Sakubva, he added, will make them feel at home.
Tenax were elevated into the top-flight league after being crowned Zifa Eastern Region Division One champions in 2019. They pipped former Premiership side Buffaloes to the title.
While they retained the bulk of the squad which earned them promotion, they have beefed up their squad with additional acquisitions like Panashe Mutasa. The debutants also roped in the experienced Shadreck Mugurasaveto head their technical team.
Left-footed ex-Buffaloes man, Jambo is expected to provide leadership owing to his vast experience.
Evergreen midfield kingpin and captain, Farai Mugumwa, goalkeeper, Phillip Makumi as well as attacker,Takunda Mapara will form the spine of the team.
