Emotions are running high in Mutare soccer circles as the build-up to Saturday’S Eastern Region Division One League derby pitting log leaders Buffaloes and troublesome Tenax reaches its climax.

The much-awaited and potentially explosive clash featuring the two uniformed forces teams gets underway at Sakubva Stadium at 3pm.

League matches pitting correctional services outfit, Tenax and army outfit, Buffaloes have always been marked by great rivalry, with either club employing all the tricks in the bag to collect maximum points.

That players from both teams grew up together in the sprawling suburbs of Sakubva and Dangamvura only serves to deepen the desire to win bragging rights in both camps.

In an interview this week, Tenax FC secretary, Elisha ‘Sugar Sugar’ Chirashanye, summed up the mood in both camps ahead of the encounter.

“This is the match we have been waiting for. We really want to take Buffaloes to the cleaners and I know there will be some people who will be left with high blood pressure after that match. We are equal to the task and we are confident that when the referee blows the final whistle, we will be celebrating,” he said.

Queried about his team’s enthusiasm to beat Buffaloes than any other team especially after recently losing to Yadah FC at home, Chirashanye, said: “It is not about Buffaloes. We only lost to Yadah by a slender 0-1 margin. We had almost held them, but failed to convert chances that came our way. However, local derbies have always been like that and in the spirit of Fair Play, we just cannot give it to Buffaloes on a silver platter.”

His coach, Blessing Madombi, conceded that it would be a tough match for the correctional services outfit.

“It is going to be a tough one indeed. The timing of the match itself is tricky in that we are going to meet a powerful Buffaloes that has been in good form. However, we are going to give it our best shot and hope to win the match,” said Madombi.

However, Buffaloes gaffer, Ndega Matsika, whose team has been taking no prisoners in its quest for a quick return to the top-flight league, kept a cool head, saying he was taking the match against Tenax just like any other match they had played so far in the league.

“This promises to be an exciting family timeout watching entertaining football at Sakubva Stadium. I do not think there is really anything special about Tenax and we are going to take it just like any other match we have played so far in the league,” said Matsika.

Currently Buffaloes are top of the 16-team log standing after opening a four-point gap ahead of second placed FC Mutoko, with Yadah Gunners at third position, five points behind the Mutare army team.

Nonetheless, both FC Mutoko and Yadaha have a game in hand that might reduce the gap between them and the Mutare log leaders.