Tenax talk up title tilt

01 Nov, 2019 - 00:11 0 Views
Tenax talk up title tilt Blessing Madombi

The ManicaPost

Moffat Mungazi Sports Correspondent
PREMIERSHIP aspirants Tenax will play two potentially explosive and probable title deciders in as many weeks as the Zifa Eastern Region Division One championship race hots up, with duels against cross town rivals Mutare City Rovers and fellow contenders FC Makaha queuing up.

The pacesetters host Rovers in a local derby at Mutare Boys’ High Grounds tomorrow (Saturday) before visiting FC Makahain Mutoko next weekend for two fixtures their coach Blessing Madombi insists they are taking one at a time as they push for a podium finish.

Perched at the apex of the second-tier league (58 points), the correctional services outfit are eager to protect their lead and stay ahead in the chase to outmarch the closest challengers (Buffaloes: second, 55; FC Makaha: third, 52) in hot pursuit of the crown which is turning out to be a three-horse race. The top-placed trio is expected to run each other uncomfortably close right to the death of what has so far been a gruelling marathon of 26games.

Only four rounds of matches remain before the campaign concludes.

Chauya Chikara kept their foot on the gas with a battling 3-3 stalemate against Watungwa Watungwa last Saturday in the replay of their second leg fixture which was abandoned at 1-1 in July.

Team tactician Madombi is upbeat that the team’s goal of achieving Premiership promotion can come to fruition. He has cautioned his charges against complacency and potential banana skin situations, however.

“We are happy with how our season has panned out so far.

The team has worked hard to be where we are right now and will continue with that ethic throughout the remainder this campaign and  beyond. Every game now has to be treated like a final in this home stretch run so that we complete what we have started brilliantly.

“In my opinion the next three fixtures could determine who will walk away as champions because of the nature and importance of those games and the huge bearing they have on the eventual outcome. The boys are prepared to take that stride and raring to go,” said the dressing room boss.

Keen to make the most of their home advantage, which has seen them coasting to victories in all but one of the matches they have hosted at their Mutare Boys’ High Grounds fortress — the abandoned derby against Buffaloes — the championship hopefuls are entertaining no slip ups that may blemish that near-perfect run.

“Our home record has been so imperious that we built on it to sustain our strong challenge for honours. If we can maintain that and remain competitive on the road as well then we are certainly good to go,” the gaffer explained, attributing their fine form to dedication, hard work and discipline among their ranks: “This squad has been together for some time now and each season they have been developing and progressing towards fulfillment of their football dreams. We are happy that it is coming to that.

Madombi also doffed his hat to Tenax management, saluting their leadership. He effused: “Over the years we have received immeasurably  immense support from the top, executive and everyone associated with this club; including its friends.

Many people continue to tirelessly exert efforts behind the scenes and this has also largely contributed to the positive direction the team is taking. We are deeply grateful for all that.

Together we can achieve more”

With the pressure of clinching elevation into the Premiership likely to ramp up in the forthcoming fixtures, Tenax are expected to soak it up all and cope well in the title run-in.

 

Tenax’s remaining fixtures:

Mutare City Rovers (home)

FC Makaha (away)

Grayham (home)

Ruwa (away)

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