Buffaloes set the pace

27 Apr, 2018 - 00:04 0 Views

The ManicaPost

Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter
TITLE favourites Buffaloes opened their 2018 Eastern Region Division One account with a well deserved victory over bitter rivals Tenax on a day that fellow championship-chasing duo of Manica Diamonds and Masvingo Pirates drew.

This year’s Eastern Region Division One season promises to be stiffly contested given that unlike in the past, almost five clubs – Buffaloes, Manica Diamonds, Tenax, Masvingo Pirates and Green Fuels – have the pedigree to challenge for honours.

However, it is the Rusape-based soldiers who started on a positive note after getting the better of troublesome correctional services outfit Tenax. Tenax is the team that denied Buffaloes premiership promotion in the last two seasons.

Buffaloes got a major boost to their title aspirations when they welcomed back talented goalkeeper Chengetai Tandadzai.

Tandadzai is one of the safest pair of hands to emerge in Mutare in recent years.

Tandadzai was sidelined for the whole of last season due to injury suffered in the match against eventual league winners Yadah FC in October 2016.

His outstanding display in the season opener against Tenax proved that the Sakubva born star, just like wine, is getting better with age.

“It feels good to be back in action after taking so long to recover from injury. I am now fully fit and itching to prove a point. I think I am even much better and mature than I was.

“We are naturally in the race for Premiership promotion being one of the big teams around in the region. Fans have their expectations and they are justified.

“However being in the race for the title is something that we are used to, we have done it before and we believe we can win it. We will not let ourselves be under pressure and aim to keep collecting points with each passing week,” said Tandadzai.

It however remains to be seen whether Buffaloes will keep collecting points as they embark on a tricky away fixture against league returnees Gaza Gunners of Chipinge.

Masimba Dinyero-coached Green Fuels, a new outfit in the league with a lot of potential given the quality and depth at its disposal, also made clear their intentions to fight for top honours after dismissing Prime Rangers 2-1 away in Ruwa.

Prime Rangers are no easy opponents especially at home and defeat puts in context the fortitude within the rank and file of Green Fuels.

Tenax will be back at home up against Masvingo Pirates at Mutare Boys High grounds tomorrow (Saturday) in a match the correctional outfit needs to win at all cost to put back their title chase on the rails.

 Weekend Results:
Masvingo Pirates 1, Manica Diamonds 1; Prime Rangers 1, Green Fuel 2; United Lions 0, Melfort 0; Surrey 3, 011 Stars 2; Renco Mine 1, Gaza Gunners 0; Buffaloes 1, Tenax 0; Mwenezana 1, Masvingo United 1; Gutu 3, Bikita Minerals 1:

Fixtures:
Tenax CS FC v Masvingo Pirates (Saturday; Mutare Boys High; 1500hrs; Adm: Free); Tenax FC v Masvingo Pirates; Bikita FC v Renco Mine; Melfort v Gutu; Masvingo United v United Lions; Green Fuels vs Mwenezana; 011 Stars v Prime BH Rangers; Manica Diamonds v Surrey; Gaza Gunners v Buffaloes:

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