Mixed fortunes for Manicaland’s D1 teams
WITH the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One championship race gathering pace, the title race is slowly shaping up with teams from Manicaland Province out to stake their claim in the quest for promotion into the Premiership.
The second-tier league enters its sixth round of fixtures this weekend as action continues.
Manicaland has five teams –Mutare City Rovers, Buffaloes, Manica Diamonds Juniors, GreenFuel and Nzuma Bar –vying for top honours.
The teams are, however, experiencing mixed fortunes in their hunt for glory.
All the three sides based in Mutare– Gusha Bhora, Ndombolo and the Gems Boys’ developmental side –suffered defeats.
Chisumbanje-based team, GreenFuel are turning into early pacesetters. They are perched at the apex of log standings with 11 points and are yet to taste defeat in five starts.
In hot pursuit are municipality outfit, Mutare City Rovers who sit second, one point shy of the leaders.
Buhera side, Nzuma Bar (six points) are in mid-table alongside former Premiership boys, Buffaloes (five), occupying eighth and ninth positions respectively.
They have, however, played one game less than the teams above them.
Manica Diamonds Juniors have been slow starters and are anchoring the 16-team table with one point from four games. They have managed just a single draw and three losses.
Their coach, Hibron “Adhala Chommiey” Makukutu concedes that it has been a tough start for them, but believes there is still a long way to go and they can recover.
“Things have not gone the way we had hoped. However, the season is still young and there is plenty of room for improvement. As a club, we believe that we can come right and achieve our set targets for the season. We have what it takes to finish as high above the table as we can,” he said.
The pint-sized ex-Highway skipper said they will continue working hard while nurturing junior talent. He expressed satisfaction with his players’ application on the game.
Said Makukutu: “We will keep our heads up and take each game as it comes. This is a challenge we are relishing. Our thrust is to develop young players and groom them on their way to turning professional and winning matches is part of that process. This is our first time playing at this level and we are up for the task.”
Meanwhile, the local derby between Manica Diamonds Juniors and Buffaloes will headline this weekend’s games. The cross-town rivals will battle for supremacy at Sakubva Stadium tomorrow.
It is easily the pick of the crop, with the three points and bragging rights at stake.
Makukutu described the contest as a David and Goliath affair.
“We are not intimidated and are ready for them,” declared the gaffer.
In other games lined up, Mutare City Rovers will square off against Grayham in a top-of-the-table clash at Windsor in Ruwa. Nzuma Bar will also face a test of their character when they visit seasoned campaigners, Masvingo United at Mucheke Stadium.
Early pacesetter, GreenFuel will be out to consolidate top spot when they host troubled Zaka Academy. Weekend fixtures:
Buffaloes vs Manica Diamonds Juniors; GreenFuel vs Zaka Academy; Grayham vs Mutare City Rovers; Masvingo United vs Nzuma Bar; Lowveld United vs Chiredzi Stars; Renco Mine vs Surrey.