ASHER MOYO
SPORTS REPORTER
MUTARE-ZIFA Eastern Region Soccer League pacesetters FC Wangu Mazodze will resume their championship campaign with a litmus test when they play Mutare City Rovers at Vengere Stadium this Saturday.
The league returns from the mid-season break with two matches lined up for Saturday at Vengere Stadium in Rusape.
It will be the match between two title chasing teams that will make the resumption an exciting one.
A total of five matches will be played on Sunday.
Mutare teams are using Vengere Stadium since Show Ground will be hosting the Manicaland Agricultural Show on September 22-26. Sakubva Stadium is also closed for renovations.
ERSL administrator Fungai Munyoro-Chingaira said they are looking forward to an exciting second half.
“We are resuming our league this weekend. Teams in Mutare will be using Vengere Stadium since Sakubva Stadium is closed for renovations. Show ground is closed for the Agricultural Show slated for month end. Teams have rested and we are looking forward to an exciting second half,” she said.
Mazodze are the log leaders with 38 points from 17 matches while Gusha Bhora as Mutare City Rovers are affectionately known as are on third position, trailing Mazodze by seven points and will be looking forward to slashing the margin with a win .
Gusha Bhora coach Chasten Ngondonga said he is looking forward to the Mazodze match and added that the mid-season break gave them time to focus.
“The team managed to rest. The break refreshed us since we had a lot of pressure. We welcome two of our players who were down with injuries. Our gunman Rashid Samaita had an ankle injury and we also welcome back Chris Chiku (right back) who suffered a hamstring. Otherwise I have a full squad for the match. Everyone is fit for selection. Playing Mazodze really motivates us though we are going as underdogs. It’s a must win match. The team is prepared and ready for the match, “he said.
The former Mutare City Rovers skipper also added that using Vengere as home ground will not affect their performance.
“Playing at Vengere will not affect us since we have away games. It is as good as an away game though we are at home. As long as it is in Mnaicaland we believe our fans will come in their numbers to watch this game,” he said.
Tenax FC who are playing FC Hunters are second on the log with a total of 35 points while Bikita Minerals FC and new boys Rusitu Tigers FC are fourth and fifth respectively with 31 points each and separated by goal difference.
The ERSL administrator also congratulated Tenax for representing Zimbabwe at the recently ended SADC Correctional games.
“We would like to congratulate Tenax FC for coming out as champions in the just ended SADC Correctional games in South Africa. Not only did they make the region proud but the nation at large. They lifted our flag high,” said Munyoro-Chingaira
MATCHDAY 19 FIXTURES
SATURDAY
Tenax vs Hunters at 12:00 hrs-Vengere
Mutare City vs Mazodze at 15:00 hrs-Vengere
SUNDAY
Manica Diamond U19 vs Bikita Minerals at 12:00 hrs –Vengere
Masvingo United vs Renco Mine at 15:00 hrs-Mucheke
Midway vs Buffaloes at 15:00 hrs –Vengere
Rusitu Tigers vsSurrey at 15:00 hrs –Ndima
JM Busha vs Chiredzi Stars at 15:00 hrs –Rudhaka
