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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
BUDIRIRO Gunners say they fancy their chances when they take on Seed Co in the semi-finals of the Doves Cup, for Division Two and Three soccer teams, at Danny Bismark tomorrow.
The two semi-finals will be held on the same day with the first one getting underway at 1pm and the last one at 3pm.
The Doves Cup has illuminated the football scene in the lower divisions after Doves became the first company to sponsor a knock-out tournament for Division Two and Three teams.
Budiriro Gunners chairman Claudius Mufandaedza said they were confident of winning their semi-final showdown.
“We are happy to have progressed this far and we are now aiming for the final as we have been impressive since the beginning of the tournament.
“We are well prepared for the game against Seed Co and we hope we will sail through. The game will be a tough one as Seed Co need to revenge on their 0-1 loss to us in their backyard (in the league) last week. We play in the same league and we know they are competitive and have a good team but we are well prepared for them.
There is a lot at stake as winning the event will boost our coffers as an academy.”
The two teams both play in the Harare Province League Division Two and will both be looking forward to proceed to the finals of the inaugural tournament.
“It will be good for us if we win the tournament in its first year and that will give our young players hope that they can do well,” said Mufandaedza.
“We have managed to produce some young talent and we will continue to do that.”
Budiriro Gunners were home to young Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva who is with the national Under-23 team set to travel to Botswana for a friendly.
The first semi-finals will see Cargo Careers taking on Botafago.
Harare Province league made history by securing a corporate sponsorship and vice-chairman Robert Tembo said the best four teams have made it to the semi-finals.
“The best four teams are in the semi-finals and it is our hope that the finals will also have the best teams,” said Tembo.
“We would like to invite Division One and Premier League coaches to come and witness the matches as there is a lot of talent in our league.
“Our thrust is on youth development so we have several young players who have potential and all they need is exposure to bigger leagues.
“Most of the teams in our league are academies and they produce good players and we are positive that we have some players who can make it into the bigger leagues.”
Online Reporter