adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
IT’S the penultimate round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup this weekend when the premier football knock-out competition reaches the semi-final stage. The first semi-final will feature title-chasing Harare City against Highlanders at Mandava on Saturday in what could be a dress rehearsal of their league clash in Harare during Week 29 of the championship race.
Harare City are tied with Dynamos at the top of the log on 49 points while Bosso are a point behind on 48.
Both the Sunshine City Boys and Highlanders drew against teams that are in the relegation zone on Sunday.
A victory for Harare City could have taken them to the top of the log, while a victory for Highlanders would also have taken them top but they were restricted by Black Rhinos and Motor Action.
Now the two clubs will shift their focus to the Mbada Diamonds Cup hoping to keep alive their League and Cup double.
To reach the semi-finals Harare City beat Monoz 1-0 in the first round before sailing 2-0 past Hwange in the quarter-finals while Highlanders edged Buffaloes 3-2 in the opening round and then thrashed Buffaloes 3-0.
Whichever team wins the semi-final on Saturday will get a psychological boost ahead of the league clash at Rufaro.
In the other semi-final, CAPS United already have the bragging rights after edging How Mine in the league in Week 26 of the programme at the National Sports Stadium.
CAPS United needed a penalty shoot-out to beat Motor Action in the first round before they dismissed Chicken Inn in a league tie that saved as a warm-up to their quarter-final clash against the same opponents.
The Green Machine have already skipped the first hurdle by winning against How Mine in the league and their pedigree to complete their dominance will be tested on Sunday.
CAPS United appear to be silently stalking their rivals as they have a mathematical chance of winning the league championship.
How Mine could prove to be tricky customers after they became the first team to beat Dynamos in the Mbada Diamonds Cup in a period stretching over two years.
All the Castle Lager Premier League matches have been put on ice and games will resume with mid-week fixtures next week.
Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-finals
Saturday
Harare City v Highlanders (Mandava)
Sunday
CAPS United v How Mine (National Sports Stadium).
Online Reporter