adminThe first match between Monomotapa and Motor Action will start at 12:30pm before Dynamos and Buffaloes come in at 3pm.
Saturday’s match between Highlanders and FC Platinum scheduled for Mucheke will also have an early kickoff at 12:30pm.
PSL chief executive, Kenny Ndebele, said they had to adjust the time to get a slot on SuperSport 9.
Ndebele said they were still discussing the gate-charges although fans are likely to pay US$3 for the cheapest ticket for the first two matches.
Dynamos are hoping to win their second BancABC Sup8r Cup this year but the Harare giants will have to negotiate a tricky quarter-final tie against plucky army outfit Buffaloes.
The Glamour Boys have only won the eight-team tournament once in 2010 when they beat rivals CAPS United in the final.
However, assistant coach, Tichaona Diya, said they were looking at a clean sweep of every tournament they are playing in. Motor Action, who play Monomotapa in the other match of the double header at Gibo on Sunday, are the current holders of the BancABC Sup8r Cup which they won in 2011.
The tournament has a huge purse of US$120 000 for the winners.
“BancABC have shown that there are here to support football and we would want to thank them for showing such a commitment to the PSL,” said Diya.
“To raise the winning purse and making it the most paying competition in the domestic competitions is welcome, US$120 000 is a lot of money which will obviously motivate the players. “I am sure the competition will be exciting this year because the stakes are high. As Dynamos we wouldn’t want to miss such an opportunity and we are running for the big prize this year.”
Dynamos, CAPS United, Lengthens and Motor Action are the only teams that have won the tournament.
DeMbare are coming from a morale boosting 3-0 win over How Mine at Rufaro on Sunday but they were handed a shock defeat by Buffaloes at Sakubva last week.
“Buffaloes beat us last week so we obviously need to pull up our socks. We are not even looking at the fact that they lost the game that followed at the weekend because we understand that all the teams will do their best to win against Dynamos,” said Diya.
“We played some exciting football against How Mine last Sunday. I am sure many people enjoyed watching that game and that’s the spirit we need to maintain. “Buffaloes may have lost their game to lowly Tripple B but they can also come back to face us with the same confidence that they had when they beat us last week. So there is no room for complacency.”
DeMbare were yesterday waiting for the recovery of most of their players who are down with injuries. Defender Partson Jaure, Byron Madzokere, Francesco Zekumbawira, Artwell Mukandi and the club’s leading scorer Washington Pakamisa missed the last league match because of knocks.
“I think by Thursday we should have a proper idea of how things are turning out.
“But the good thing is we had Jaure who began light training today while Washy (Pakamisa) should join in tomorrow (today). They are still being monitored by the medical team.
“Byron (Madzokere) has gone for physiotherapy. But it looks like there is no immediate return for Artwell Mukandi. We are waiting for a report from the doctors on his condition,” said Diya.
Fixtures
Friday
Chicken Inn v Shabanie Mine (Mandava) 3:00pm
Saturday
Highlanders v FC Platinum (Mucheke) 12:30pm
Sunday
Monomotapa v Motor Action (Gibo) 12:30pm, Dynamos v Buffaloes (Gibo) 3:00pm
Online Reporter