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Lazarus Muhoni

Ray Bande Mutare Bureau
FORMER Zimbabwe international Lazarus Muhoni believes Buffaloes have the depth, endurance and experience to fight all the way and clinch the 2017 Eastern Region Division One title.

Buffaloes are in a tightly-contested race for the coveted league title against city rivals Mutare City Rovers, Mutare correctional services outfit Tenax and Masvingo-based Mucheke Pirates.

Any of the top seven sides can win the championship.

Muhoni conceded it will be tight race but he thinks Buffaloes, a club he used to play for, have the experience needed to win the race.

He said last year’s experience when the Shadreck Mugurasave-coached team failed on the last hurdle will come in as a source of inspiration for the Mutare army outfit.

“I think Buffaloes have what it takes to go all the way. They have done it before more than once and I see them repeating the same feat,’’ said Muhoni.

“Yes, it is going to be a tight race given the determination being shown by all the teams in the race.

“Looking at the log table, all the top seven teams still have a mathematical chance of winning the league title but what we have seen from experience is that there are teams that can last the distance and Buffaloes are one of them.

“It is also apparent that Mugurasave has a talented outfit that can compete even in the Premiership, therefore, I see them winning the league title this year,” Muhoni said.

During his career, Muhoni donned the national team jersey and scored crucial goals, including the one against Mali in Harare, that earned him his nickname.

He was part of the crew which took the Warriors to their maiden Nations Cup appearance.

He played for Buffaloes from 1997 to 2000 before he joined fellow army outfit Black Rhinos in Harare.

During the last round of league matches, Mutare City Rovers beat Melfort 2-1 and maintained their first place on the table.

Tenax donated three points to lowly Gutu FC when they lost 1-2 at home and slipped into third position.

Buffaloes were 2-0 winners over Prime Rangers. The army side are now in second place with the same number of points as Mutare City Rovers.