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Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS FC and FC Platinum clash for the third time this season on Sunday at Barbourfields Stadium in the semi-final of the Commander ZNA’s Charities Soccer Shield. The winner of the encounter will face either Dynamos or defending champions Caps United in the final at a venue and date yet to be decided. Dynamos will clash with Caps United at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday in the semi-final.
Bosso beat FC Platinum 1-0 in a pre-season friendly before the Bulawayo giants lost 6-5 after a penalty shootout in the semi-final of the Independence Cup after a goalless draw.
This weekend Zambian expatriate Kelvin Kaindu who missed the 1-0 friendly match win will be in the hot seat and expectations are high that his presence will enhance Bosso’s chances of beating FC Platinum who have shown that they are not pushovers under Lloyd Mutasa.
Major Fabion Chitungo, a member of the Commander ZNA’s Charities Soccer Shield said all is set for the matches and soccer enthusiasts should expect top-drawer performances by all the clubs.
They have also reduced gate fees from $3 that the Premier Soccer League charges for its games to $2 so that they attract more spectators.
The matches are set to raise funds for the ZNA charities with beneficiaries being army personnel and their dependants. A number of schools and institutions across the country run by the ZNA including Tsanga Lodge in Nyanga which is for recuperating injured soldiers will benefit from the funds raised.
“Everything is set for the semi-finals and we have been in constant communication with all the clubs who have promised fireworks. We are grateful to all the four clubs because they agreed to be involved in this noble cause. As organisers we have also made it easy for supporters to come in their numbers by reducing gate charges,” said Chitungo.
In the course of the year the army holds several fundraising activities which include golf tournaments and a horse race.
PSL chief executive Kennedy Ndebele said the competition will not interfere with their programme as matches would be played on a weekend when the national team would be away. This weekend the Warriors will be away to Tanzania for an Afcon qualifier.
He said the idea was to stage the tournament during the off-season but with national team activity they decided to use the space.
“We agreed in principle to work with the Zimbabwe National Army to assist. So on that weekend when the Warriors will be away the teams will play. I believe that this is part of our social corporate responsibility,” said Ndebele.
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