The Pacific Storm Eastern Region Soccer League match day 3 gets underway today with 8 matches lined up across the region.
Straight off their heroic and shocking 2-0 home win against giants Tenax Correctional Services Football Club on Good Friday, Grand Legacy Football Club travel to Murambinda for a date against Deportivo La Murambinda at Uhera Stadium.
La Murambinda are coming from a narrow 1-0 defeat at Yadah and are under pressure to win with recent reports of an ultimatum that was given to the technical team.
It will be a great test of character for the Collin Chinyani coached side that has the likes of Diego Makurumidze, veteran Stephen Makatuka and Cabby Kamhapa.
For La Murambinda who average two goals at home a fete which stretches back to last season the stakes will be high to grind AA positive result.
They will be hoping that skipper Francis Zvijayi who is currently the top goal scorer will deliver a stellar performance from the middle of the park.
Buffaloes FC vs Tongogara United FC at Showgrounds:
Watungwa-Watungwa (Buffaloes) are hot favourites to win this one. They have started this season on a decent note, drawing their opening game away at Bikita and collected maximum points in week 2. Tongogara have been shipping in goals from both ends. Second from bottom the Chipinge based side have scored 3 and conceded 6 goals.They are currently winless and everything is pointing towards a Buffaloes win.
Renco Mine FC vs 4 Lions FC at Maramba:
Renco Mine will be hoping to use their challenging home atmosphere to conjure up a positive result. Maramba Stadium is known over the years to be a challenging fortress. It was evident in their opening match where Mutare City Rovers FC toiled hard to earn a late point as they scored a late goal deep inside added time to draw 1-1. However the Miners lost their next game against Africa Mineral Ventures FC. Today they are up against 4 Lions who have drew their opening two games. It will be a battle of the minnows at Maramba.
Bikita Minerals FC vs Destiny Stars FC at the Lithium Stadium: One of the favorites to clinch the championship, Bikita Minerals FC are currently sitting fourth with four points. Tonganai Mugeji will be hoping that striker Tinashe Mangezi who bagged a hat-trick in their last weekend will maintain that form against Destiny Stars.
Destiny Stars so far have a point from their opening 2 games, having opened their campaign with a loss followed by a draw.
Power FC vs Yadah FC at Gaths Mine: It will be a battle between 6th and 8th. Both sides have four points with Power FC boasting of a superior goal difference. All eyes will be on Power FC if they can replicate their form in week 1 where they collected maximum points on home turf. Yadah will be hoping to continue their winning streak having collected their first set of maximum points on Friday and maintain that march towards a Premier Soccer League return.
FC Wangu Mazodze vs Manica Diamonds U19 FC at Mucheke Stadium: Mazodze are coming from a 2-1 loss at Buffaloes and will be hoping to turn up the heat against Manica Diamonds. The Gem Boys are not pushovers themselves as evidenced by their late leveller at 4 Lions in their previous game. Hibron Makukutu’s men scored a late goal to earn a deserved 2-2 draw. Mazodze are currently rattled and this one can go either way.
Green Fuel FC vs Chivhu FC at the Green Fuel Arena: Log leaders Green Fuel will be hoping to make it three out of three when they host strugglers Chivhu FC. Anchoring the log with zero points, Chivhu will be facing a daunting task to at the Green Fuel Arena. In their last match they were crushed 5-0 by Masvingo United and Green Fuel with their potent strike force are expected to inflict more damage to Chivhu.
Tenax CS FC vs Great Zimbabwe University FC at Mutare Boys High:
Lastly giants Tenax are under pressure to win this one. Good Friday’s 2-0 capitulation at Grand Legacy FC sent shockwaves across the region. The loss was preceded by a goalless draw with Yadah FC in their opening game. Yes it it still too early to talk about the championship but over the years consistency has been the greatest weapon that has won teams the championship in the Eastern Region Soccer League. Tenax will be hoping to get their first win today and close the gap on the early pacesetters. However standing in their way is Great Zimbabwe who have so far collected a point after two games just like Tenax. The stakes are high on both ends in this one.
