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Buffaloes hope to repay Mbada faith

Sport
IN THE aftermath of becoming the first team to beat Dynamos this season, Buffaloes are increasingly confident that their target of a top-four finish will come to fruition.

IN THE aftermath of becoming the first team to beat Dynamos this season, Mutare-based Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Buffaloes are increasingly confident that their target of a top-four finish will come to fruition at the end of the season.

WELLINGTON TONI,RECENTLY IN MUTARE

This afternoon, they clash with relegation-threatened Tripple B at Dulibadzimu Stadium as they seek to maintain that momentum. But it is the win against Dynamos that they want to build on, in particular to entice mining company Mbada Diamonds to be their full- time sponsor and not a donor.

Speaking to NewsDay Sport on Wednesday evening after the win, Buffaloes secretary-general and spokesperson Tendai Chitowa said changes to their technical team were for the best after they parted aways with Saul Chaminuka.

Sakubva-born-and-bred Timothy Masachi is now in charge and the fans were over the moon, lifting him as if he had won the league title.

“They (Mbada Diamonds) bought all the kits we are using; they provide transport and salaries for our players and we are excited by all this. Last season, they gave us a target of a top eight finish and we did that, this year we have to reach the top four.

“We believe we will be able to do that so that they (Mbada) come back to us as sponsors on a full time basis. We have made changes to the technical team and we are positive this will help us achieve our goals,” Chitowa said.

He added: “We have a lot of support from the community that started when we were in Division One, basically which was still an army team. When we got into the Premiership, the constitution changed to include more members of the community and that has helped us get closer to the people.”

With the appointment of Masachi, the Buffaloes leadership believes the support base will continue to grow as he has been involved in the development of most of the players from Sakubva, notable, former national players Willard Katsande and Onismor Bhasera.

“Ninety percent of the players are in the army because they are below the age of 25 and we have Steven Banda and Phillip Thembani both aged 19. The goalkeeper Chengetai Tandadzai is 21,” Chitowa said.

“With such kind of players, we hope to produce the best results and once we have good results, companies would like to be associated with us and we will also be able to attract good players. Which is why we want to do our best to entice Mbada to be our sponsors,” he added.

Patron of the team is Brigadier General Eliah Bandama while his deputy Colonel Gutu is the president of the executive. Local businessman Nhlanganiso Matangaidze is the chairman of the executive, Francis Mabika is the vice chairman while Chitowa is the SG and spokesman.

The treasurer is Fisher Masunga and the organising secretary Arnold Gatsi while they also has a legal advisor and two committee members. Chitowa spoke highly of the coach: “We need to support him, to give him a chance; the fans must support him and am sure the results will come. He has passion for the game and his academy La Sakubva continues to attract the best junior players in Mutare. We will also tap into that talent.”

As they head towards Beitbridge today, they know Tripple B is fighting for survival having picked up a point on the road against equally struggling Black Rhinos on Wednesday in Kadoma in a 0-0 draw.

Tripple B also has a new man in charge in Peter Manoti, who took over from Friday Phiri and has managed a win, a draw and a loss.