Who wants it the most?

ESTEEMED followers of the game of football, thank you for finding time for interaction.

Among Buffaloes, Mutare City Rovers, Tenax and The Africa Trust, who will bring the smiles back on many a friend of our local game as all four battle it out for the sole ticket to next season represent Mutare in the Premiership in this year’s Zifa Eastern Region Division One.

Already, the race is hotting up while the log standings assume a new complexion and change shape after every match. The marathon will, however, not be short of derbies as it will play to half-a-dozen of these (Mutare City have already drawn first blood, beating Tenax 3-1 at Sakubva last Saturday).

But will these sides be “fren-mies” – friends at one time and enemies at the other – as they all battle for supremacy? Or they will be bound by a common purpose to see a team from the diamond-mining city eventually getting promoted while acting in the “interest of geography” (given how the combat between uniformed forces Buffaloes and Tenax almost turned nasty as emotions ran high right at the business end of last season)!

Following a slow start to the season, Buffaloes have bounced back to seize control of proceedings and presently top the log. They, together with Mutare City Rovers, will look to use their experience – as they are been-tos – to wrest the promotion ticket. Also, there has been some movement in the dressing room, technical department and administration side of things at both former Premier Soccer League sides; while they also appear to have retained the bulk of the squad that did duty for them last season.

Seasoned campaigners Tenax, who merged with another prisons and former Premiership outfit Flame Lilly, will take another crack at promotion. Watsomba-based The Africa Trust, who have started as rank outsiders since their promotion last season, have often been a stubborn opponent and are usually party spoilers.

Interestingly, the latest Zifa Eastern Region Division One log standings paint a positive picture and Mutare’s prospects for Premiership football next season look bright – Buffaloes, Mutare City and The Africa Trust occupy the Top Three positions respectively going into this weekend’s matches. Mid-tablers Tenax are perched on position eight.

So, who wants it the most?

Just who is up for it?

And who is going to get it?

Well, this will only be reflected in how the four clubs apply themselves during the marathon as they race for a podium finish that comes with promotion into the elite league.

It’s Game On, Play On!

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