Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE wait is over!
The Chibuku Super Cup bursts into life this weekend, bringing together 16 ambitious teams for a first-round feast that promises goals, drama, upsets and plenty of bragging rights.
From the heavyweight clash between Scottland and FC Platinum today to the eagerly awaited Bulawayo derby between Highlanders and Chicken Inn on Sunday, there is something for every football lover.
The action begins today at Rufaro, where Scottland face FC Platinum in the tournament opener.
Scottland will be looking to make a strong statement against one of the country’s established top-flight sides, but FC Platinum will know that cup football leaves little room for complacency.
With the first-round prize being a place in the next stage, expect a fiercely contested opening encounter.
Tomorrow brings three more matches.
At Ngoni, MWOS take on Agama. Both sides will see the cup as an opportunity to make an early statement, and neither will want to be the team walking away from the competition after just 90 minutes.
Rufaro then hosts another intriguing encounter when CAPS United meet Simba Bhora.
This is one of the fixtures likely to attract plenty of attention, with CAPS United’s pedigree and Simba Bhora’s unpredictability making this a difficult tie to call.
The Green Machine will want to impose themselves, while Simba Bhora will believe they have enough quality to cause problems.
At Baobab, Ngezi Platinum Stars face ZPC Kariba.
Ngezi will go into the match with ambitions of making a deep run in the competition, but ZPC Kariba have the opportunity to produce one of the weekend’s surprises.
Cup matches can be unforgiving, and Ngezi will know they cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.
Then comes Sunday and the fixture list really catches fire.
Dynamos face TelOne at Rufaro in a match that will have an added storyline following Joel Luphahla’s return to the TelOne dugout. Luphahla has barely had time to settle back into his new job, and his first assignment is a daunting one against one of Zimbabwe’s biggest football clubs.
Dynamos, meanwhile, will be desperate to avoid an early cup exit.
At Chawanda, Hardrock welcome Bulawayo Chiefs in a tie that has all the ingredients of a classic cup encounter.
Hardrock’s spending power and impressive form have generated plenty of excitement, but Chiefs will travel to Kwekwe determined to spoil the party.
The home side will have the crowd behind them, while the visitors will be hoping their experience can carry them through.
Ngoni will host another fascinating contest when Herentals College take on Hunters.
For both teams, this is a chance to step into the spotlight. There will be no room for passengers, with every mistake potentially proving decisive in a knockout competition.
And then comes the one many Bulawayo football lovers will have circled on their calendars.
Barbourfields will play host to the big Bulawayo derby between Highlanders and Chicken Inn.
This is the fixture where form, league positions and statistics can be thrown out of the window.
It is Highlanders against Chicken Inn. It is city pride. It is bragging rights. And it is a cup tie.
Barbourfields is expected to provide a spectacular backdrop, with supporters from both camps expected to turn up in numbers for what should be one of the weekend’s biggest crowds.
Highlanders will want to use the occasion and home support to push themselves into the next round, while Chicken Inn will be equally determined to silence their neighbours and keep their cup dream alive.
First Round Fixtures
Today:
Scottland v FC Platinum (Rufaro)
Tomorrow:
MWOS v Agama (Ngoni)
CAPS United v Simba Bhora (Rufaro)
Ngezi Platinum Stars v ZPC Kariba (Baobab)
Sunday:
Dynamos v TelOne (Rufaro)
Hardrock vs Bulawayo Chiefs (Chahwanda)
Herentals College v Hunters (Ngoni)
Highlanders v Chicken Inn (Barbourfields)
