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The other match will see Motor Action locking horns with Zvishavane-based FC Platinum at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare.
The competition is part of the celebrations to mark President Mugabe’s birthday which falls on 21 February and the team that will prevail tomorrow will clash in the final set for Rufaro Stadium on 26 February.
A confident DeMbare boss Kenny Mubaiwa said they would bring a full strength squad which would feature their new signings as they were eager to go all the way and defend their title which they won last year at
the expense of former Cup Kings, Caps United.
DeMbare beat The Green Machine 3-2 through goals from Denver Mukamba and Archieford Gutu who hit a brace. Evans Gwekwerere and goalkeeper Edmore ‘Zikeeper’ Sibanda scored for Makepekepe.
“We are taking the match seriously and we want to defend our title,” said Mubaiwa.
He said they would also parade some of their new signings such as striker Tineyi Chitora, signed from Blue Ribbon, Under-23 goalkeeper George Chigova (Gunners), leftback Ocean Mushure (Motor Action) and
Zambian Arthur Kasiloki who is a midfielder.
Hwange gaffer Tennant Chilumba, during an interview earlier this week, said the match would present him with an opportunity to gauge the strength of his squad and said that his boys were responding well to training.
Hwange will be without the trio of defenders Obert Moyo and Gerald Ndlovu, who was also their skipper last season, and midfield workhorse Andrew Chuma. They were shown the exit door by the club over as yet unclear reasons.
Chuma is already training with Bulawayo giants Highlanders while Ndlovu indicated that he might be coming tomorrow for negotiations with Bosso too.
Defender David Boriwondo will marshall the coalminers’ defence with young Tonisani Sibelo taking care of issues from the right back. Soccer Star of the Year finalist Nkosana Siwela, Rodwell Chinyengetere, comeback kids Farai Vimbisayi and Daniel Kamunenga will carry Chipangano’s hopes.
Hwange will also hope to erase the memories of their last visit to Barbourfields where they were shocked by a then ailing Shooting Stars who booted them out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup last season.
All the four clubs will be using the Bob Super Cup as part of their preparations for the continental competitions.
Hwange and Motor Action will represent the country in the Caf Confederation Cup while DeMbare and FC Platinum are in the more lucrative Caf Champions League.
Save for the Harare giants who have a first round bye, the other three clubs begin their African sojourns on the weekend of 17-19 February.
Meanwhile, FC Platinum have said that they were fully prepared for Motor Action when the two sides clash in the Bob 88 Super Cup at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare today.
“We are well prepared for the semi-final and so far everything has gone according to plan. We are taking the match very seriously and everyone is ready and raring to go.
“Competition is very tight in our camp and we are going to select the best players for the first team jerseys and everyone has to fight for a place in the final line-up. We are not worried that Motor Action beat FC
Platinum last year in their first meeting in Harare but 2012 is a different year altogether. We have done our homework and what happened last year is now water under the bridge,” said Tendai Chikuni, the assistant coach of the platinum miners.
FC Platinum offloaded 12 players last season and has so far assembled one of the best squads which can play any team in Africa. Former Bulls midfielder Allan Gahadzikwa and Charles Sibanda are expected to do most of the damage to their former paymasters.
Coach Rahman Gumbo will be spoilt for choice as he has former Shabanie Mine captain Simon Shoko, another former skipper Gilbert Banda, Qadr Amin, Thandazani Ndlovu, Zephaniah Ngodzo, Norman Maroto and Daniel Veremu to choose from for his defence.
The Zambian import Frank Mulambo, Cabby Kamhapa, Hardlife Muvundi, Rowan Nenzou, Welcome Ndiweni, Joel Ngodzo, Ntokozo Tshuma, Ali Sadiki, Louis Matawu, Mitchelle Katsvairo, Donald Ngoma, Benjamin Marere and Thabani Kamusoko are some of the players who will be battling to make it in the starting line-up.
This afternoon they clash with a Motor Action side which has often thrived on teamwork.
Online Reporter