Online Reporter
Onward Gangata, [email protected]
Central Region Soccer League (CRSL) log leaders Blanket Mine will be hoping to carry their good form into the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup when they face TelOne at Ascot Stadium on Sunday.
The Luke Petros-Jukulile-coached outfit sits four points clear at the top of the table and remains unbeaten in this campaign.
They now square off against a struggling TelOne side that is fighting for survival in the Premier Soccer League.
Jukulile said he is relishing the chance to once again test his charges against top-flight opposition.
He added that the stage presents a valuable opportunity for his young players to measure themselves against more experienced professionals.
“The team is now shifting attention to the Munhumutapa Cup, and the guys are aware of what is at stake against our opponent,” said Jukulile.
“The stage itself is good for the young guys to rub shoulders with seniors and to test themselves against top-flight teams, which is a motivating factor as we are also chasing promotion into that league.”
Despite Blanket Mine’s rich vein of form in the Central Region, Jukulile remains cautious ahead of the knockout tie.
He is hopeful that his side can translate their league dominance into cup success and secure a place in the last 16.
“We are going to treat it with much caution and try to continue with the form we started the second half of the season with,” said the former Warriors striker.
Blanket Mine come into this encounter with a slight advantage given that their opponents were in Chibuku Super Cup action in midweek.
That fixture congestion could work in favour of the log leaders, who have had a full week to prepare and recover.
The Wi-Fi Boys, as TelOne are popularly known, have struggled for consistency this season and will be desperate to use the cup to revive their confidence.
In Gwanda, Johannes Ngodzo will be hoping to make the most of home advantage when Gwanda Pirates host Southern Region Soccer League side Jordan FC.
After a slow start to the season, Gwanda Pirates have found their groove in recent weeks.
Ngodzo will be hoping his charges build on that momentum and use the cup platform to push for silverware.
Both ties are expected to draw big crowds as lower division sides look to upset their Premier League opponents and book passage to the next round.
