Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United legend Alois Bunjira said the Green Machine can roll back the hands of time when they used to dominate knock-out tournaments, starting with the mega-rich ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.
The knock-out contest, which was launched early this year by President Mnangagwa and sponsored to the tune of US$25 million for the next five years, is now entering the Round-of-32 phase with the draw held at a function in Harare yesterday.
Makepekepe have to navigate their way past Division Two side Scottland Academy as they begin their quest of restoring their “Cup Kings’’ legacy, to which Bunjira, now the club marketing officer, contributed significantly.
The Green Machine have in recent years been struggling to consolidate their status in terms of winning tournaments, with their last major trophy coming over a decade ago.
But Bunjira believes they are now in good shape to claim the richest trophy in the country, which also comes with a ticket to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.
“It’s quite an interesting draw. Obviously, we don’t know much about Scottland Academy. We just heard the name, but the name is familiar from the Scottland senior team.
“So basically it’s another derby. I can call it a derby. You know what has been happening on social media — CAPS United, Scottland, and all that. I remember the president of Scottland saying, “Not CAPS United. CAPS United are our rivals.”
“So, we’re taking that as a rivalry as well. It’s quite an interesting and good draw. The good thing is that it’s a Harare fixture, so we won’t have to travel out of Harare. That is good for CAPS United.
“Playing Scottland Academy might not be as hard as playing the Scottland senior team, but it’s still going to be a tricky fixture. I’m sure the CAPS United technical team will take this game as seriously as they should. Hopefully, we manage to go through to the next round.
“The idea has always been to try and be the Cup kings again, and this is the year we should now restore all that.”
Coincidentally, CAPS United’s female side that competes in the Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League have also been paired against Scottland Queens, who are leading the Women’s Northern Soccer League standings.
Bunjira added, “We’re also excited about playing their ladies’ team as well. It’s kind of like a double header, because our ladies, the CAPS United Royals, are also playing the Scottland Queens in the first round.
It’s quite interesting how we’ve been paired against Scottland on both occasions.
“But we expect big fixtures out of the two matches, and we hope that we will prevail as CAPS United. We also hope that our fans will come out in large numbers to come and support the team.”
The Round-of-32 fixtures will take place on the weekend of 7-9 August.
Meanwhile, Dynamos and Highlanders are also fancying their chances after they were paired against Hwange and Black Rock, respectively.
Both will be the away teams against the first division sides.
Dynamos captain Shadreck Nyahwa said: “We are in this tournament to win it.
“It’s always good to play and win. This is the inaugural edition of the biggest cup competition in the country.
“We are ready for the challenge, although we know the game against Hwange will not be easy.
“We have to show that we are Dynamos. We are ready for the challenge.”
Bosso defender Andrew Mbeba said playing Black Rock will not be easy, but the Bulawayo giants will be up for the task.
“What we want is to win the cup and nothing else,” said Mbeba.
“As Highlanders, what we are up for is winning. This is the biggest cup in the country, and we should show that our stature is that big by winning it.”
There is a potential thriller in the Chicken Inn versus Ngezi Platinum Stars, who have been drawn against each other, with three other fixtures involving all Premier Soccer League teams also on the cards.
Herentals will play MWOS while Simba Bhora and Manica Diamonds face off with ZPC Kariba and Triangle, also playing against each other.
Herentals representative Zebby Muronzi said: “We are ready for the challenge.
“We almost won the Chibuku Super Cup in 2023, and this is our chance to wrap up a trophy, and it will even be sweeter given what is at stake.”
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi hailed the teams for their competitive spirit, while the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Nicholas Moyo, challenged the clubs to ensure the tournament achieves greatness and leaves a major footprint in Zimbabwean sport.
ZIFA Munhumutapa Cup Round of 32 fixtures:
Aqua v Chilli FC, ZPC Kariba v Triangle, Simba Bhora v Manica Diamonds, Norton Big Boys v FC Hunters, TelOne v Blanket Mine, Chicken Inn v Ngezi Platinum, Hwange v Dynamos, MWOS v Herentals, FC Oden v Scottland, Bulawayo Chiefs v Agama, Marere v FC Platinum, Scottland Academy v CAPS United, MWOS U-19 v Chatidhege
Black Rock v Highlanders, Kwekwe United v Hardrock
Gwanda Pirates v Jordan FC
