The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
THE potentially exhilarating 2018 season of the Zifa Eastern Region Division One League gets underway this weekend with army outfit Buffaloes and newboys Manica Diamonds being the bookmakers’ favourites to win the title come the end of the season.
Although, Manica Diamonds FC have lost three of their preseason matches against Premiership outfit Triangle FC, newly promoted Mutare City Rovers and Shabanie Mine, they have shown great potential with Sakubva born duo of skilful Hibron ‘Ada’ Makukutu and Stephen ‘Dealer’ Sibanda maintaining consistency in front of goal.
Manica Diamond’s gaffer Luke ‘Vahombe’ Masomere thinks the matches gave him a good assessment of his squad before making a forecast for his team in the upcoming season.
“In as far as I am concerned, I am sure we have what it takes. We are very competitive; we have the skill and the technique. That was the purpose of the friendly matches we played during the pre season. The friendly games served its purpose and we come up with good combinations and a competitive team,” he said.
“We are ready as a team. You all know that it is not easy to build a team from scratch. I am happy and satisfied with my squad. The confidence is there since we played so many friendly matches,” he said.
The self styled doctor of football, Masomere, said that he will be expecting stiff competition.
“We are expecting stiff competition. A lot of people are talking about us and we know we have so many adversaries. We have to be so careful as we play. I am not hiding my intention of gaining promotion into the elite league. I do not know much about the local teams but I expect stiff competition from Buffaloes FC, Tenax, Surrey and Mucheke Pirates. Every team in the league means business,” he said.
Tenax FC, who finished on the second position, had the privilege to go to Mozambique where they played a number of friendly matches with teams like Texta Africa which plays top flight league.
They have also played a number of preparatory matches locally.
Tenax FC coach Blessing Madombi is convinced that his charges are ready for the new season. He added that he is also ready to get their Castle Lager Premiership campaign moving.
“We are looking forward to pick up from where we left last season. We want to correct our mistakes and move forward. We want to collect maximum points in our opening matches. We are ready and prepared to meet Buffaloes. We are not putting ourselves under any pressure though we know the pressure that is upon us.
“Football is very tricky, there are no big or small teams but Manica Diamond, Buffaloes and Masvingo United are all good teams. We are looking to an exciting season filled with action,” he said.
Buffaloes FC will host Tenax FC at Vengere in a potentially thrilling encounter this Saturday while Manica Diamond is away to Masvingo Pirates on Sunday.
Fixtures:
Saturday
Buffaloes v Tenax; Prime DH v Green Fuels; United Lions v Melfort
Sunday
Gutu v Bikita Minerals; Renco Mine v Gazza Gunners; Surrey v 011 Stars; Mwenezana v Masvingo United; Masvingo Pirates v Manica Diamonds:
