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The Bob 89 Super Cup competition is part of the celebrations to mark President Mugabe’s birthday.
The President turns 89 on 21 February.
This year’s edition will feature the country’s traditional football giants Highlanders and Dynamos.
The final will be played over two legs with Barbourfields Stadium playing host to the first leg and the final leg set for Rufaro Stadium a fortnight later on 24 February.
In a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, Valentine Gwenzi a member of the organising team responsible for administration and finance said Mines and Mining Development Minister and Umguza MP Obert Mpofu would be the guest of honour.
Gwenzi said the official launch would precede the fundraising ceremony.
“We are having the fundraising dinner in Harare on Wednesday for the Bob 89 Super Cup tournament.
“The launch and the fundraising event were supposed to have been held on 1 February but were moved because the guest of honour who is the Mines and Mining Development Minister Mpofu had other pressing commitments.
“We have invited the corporate world, government officials and other stakeholders for the fundraising dinner.
“We want this year’s competition to be bigger and better and it is our hope that the corporate sector and other stakeholders will support us,” said Gwenzi.
He could not be drawn into stating how much they hope to raise to bankroll the competition.
Last year, the organisers had a budget of $200 000. FC Platinum won the 2012 edition after beating Hwange in the final.
Hwange had sensationally knocked Dynamos out in the semi-finals while FC Platinum got the better of Motor Action in the other clash at Sakubva.
Highlanders and Dynamos will be clashing for the first time in the Bob Super Cup final since its inception three years ago.
The final is likely to trigger yesteryear memories from both team’s fans who used to watch the country’s traditional giants clash in the season opening Dairibord Charity Shield at the beginning of the millennium.
Highlanders and Dynamos who played host to South African Premiership side Mamelodi Sundowns will use the Bob 89 Super Cup to assess their squads ahead of the 2013 season kickoff.
DeMbare start their season early as they are participating in the Caf Champions League.
Highlanders have retained their squad from last year with former Lancashire Steel and Motor Action winger Fortune “Fokoza” Ncube, ex-skipper Gilbert Banda and lanky striker Thabani Moyo formerly with Bantu Rovers and also had stints in Cyprus being notable new faces that are trying their luck at Bosso.
Moyo featured for Highlanders during the 2-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns and failed to stamp his authority forcing Kaindu to substitute him.
Other players that featured against Mamelodi Sundowns include skipper Innocent Mapuranga, the club’s 2012 Players Player of the Year Eric Mudzingwa, Ariel Sibanda who won the league’s Goalkeeper of the Year accolade, Lawson Nkomo and Bruce Tshuma.
Castle Lager 2012 Soccer Star of the Year finalists Masimba Mambare and Mthulisi Maphosa, Bhekimpilo Ncube, Peter “Rio” Moyo, Milton Ncube, Heritein Masuku, Graham Ncube and Young Warriors’ Knox Mutizwa are also in the running to feature for Bosso.
On the other end, Dynamos who held Mamelodi Sundowns to a goalless draw, will pin their hopes on goalkeeper George Chigova, defence stalwart Patson Jaure, Ocean Mushure, Thomas Magorimbo, Cliff Sekete and skipper Tawanda Muparati who were part of the team that played in the 1-1 draw against Highlanders last season.
Meanwhile, Highlanders chairman Peter Dube said Kaindu would be having assistant coaches by Sunday.
Kaindu was with the team doctor Xolani Ndlovu and physiotherapist Loyal Nyika on the Highlanders bench when they faced Mamelodi Sundowns last week.
“We are meeting tonight (last night) but you can check with me tomorrow.
“The technical department matter is critical and we will definitely talk about it in our meeting. By the time we face Dynamos in the Bob Super Cup we hope to have addressed the issue of coaches,” said Dube.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter