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Sports Reporter
THEY might be facing the most successful team in the Chibuku Super Cup, but tournament debutants Cranborne Bullets are dreaming big and want to upstage Harare City when the two sides clash in a quarter-final tie at Baobab this morning.
Bullets are yet to taste defeat in their maiden dance with the Chibuku Super Cup and topped Group Three with 12 points ahead of fellow army side Black Rhinos.
In contrast, City needed to avoid defeat to Dynamos and were also aided by ZPC Kariba’s loss to CAPS United on the final day of group games in order for them to advance to the last eight.
Bullets’ fine run in the group stages also won them the respect of Sunshine City Boys coach Lloyd Chitembwe, who believes they will present his charges with a strong challenge today.
“In all honesty credit should be given to Cranborne Bullets for a fine run of form in their maiden Chibuku Super Cup tournament.
“What they have done in this tournament (Chibuku Super) is something extraordinary considering that this is their first time in the tournament. It gives you an idea of the kind of team they are . . . they are not pushovers.
“This will be a big challenge for us,” said Chitembwe.
Despite being wary of the threat posed by the army side, Chitembwe believes his men have what it takes to challenge for yet another Chibuku Cup final appearance.
“Like I have always said we know what we want, what our targets are and we have prepared for the match though we do not know much about them (Cranborne Bullets) and will go into it with eyes on qualifying for the next stage of the tournament.
“I think we will have to be at our best physically, technically and tactically if we are to entertain any hopes of progressing to the semi-finals,” said Chitembwe.
Chitembwe’s quest to lead Harare City to the semi-finals will not come easy as Bullets are also in high spirits boosted by their fine run of form.
“I think qualifying for the quarter-finals has given the boys that extra push, and there is that feeling of wanting more and self-belief among the players,” said Bullets gaffer Nesbert “Yabo’’ Saruchera.
He admitted that in as much as they have now set high ambitions in the tournament, they face a tough test against Harare City.
“It will be a stern test for my charges, because if you look at the history of Harare City in this tournament, you will see that this won’t be an easy match for us, and the guys are aware of what awaits them going into this match.
“Harare City have one of the best technical benches in the league, they have tried and tested gaffers and that alone tells you what type of side they are,” said Saruchera.
Online Reporter