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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
HAVING caused the biggest upset in the Chibuku Super Cup first round with a 2-1 triumph over Dynamos in Harare, Bulawayo City are looking to go all the way in the country’s most rewarding cup competition.
This afternoon, they face Yadah in the quarter-finals of the knock out competition at Barbourfields. Amakhosi shocked many when they dumped DeMbare at the first hurdle. Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu, the Bulawayo City coach said their fine tuning for the clash with Yadah had progressed well with tough competition for places in the match day squad of 18 players.
“Our preparations have gone well, there was stiff competition for places from my players, they want to go all the way,’’ Mpofu said.
With Yadah playing well in the second half of the season, Mpofu is aware that it would not be easy for his team to go all the way in the knock out competition. Bulawayo City were booted out by ZPC Kariba in the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup last year and they are looking to go all the way this season.
“It’s not going to be easy, Yadah have been playing well in the second half of the season. They are a good side. We want to go past this stage, we really need to double our effort. It has been a wonderful week for my boys, they put too much effort at training, with the effort that they are putting in, they don’t deserve to lose,’’ said Mpofu.
Bulawayo City have to do without midfielder, Innocent Kutsanzira who did not train the whole week because of a knee injury. It is not all gloom for Amakhosi on the injury front as striker Mkhululi Moyo and veteran defender Nyasha Mukumbi are back from injury.
The two teams have only met once in their short history in the Premier Soccer League. Bulawayo City defeated Yadah 2-1 at Barbourfields in June. Yadah, under the mentorship of Thomas Ruzive have had a great run during the second half of the season which has seen them beat title aspirants, Chicken Inn 2-1 in Bulawayo and also hold FC Platinum 0-0 in Harare.
Yadah made it to last eight after they were awarded their abandoned first round clash with Chicken Inn on a 3-0 score line. Chicken Inn walked off the pitch in protest when Yadah were awarded a penalty right at the end of the match.
In the other Chibuku Super Cup quarterfinal fixture lined up for this afternoon, Shabanie Mine face Caps United at Maglas.
Fixtures
Today: Bulawayo City v Yadah (Barbourfields), Shabanie Mine v Caps United (Maglas)
Results: Chapungu 1; How Mine 2; Black Rhinos 0, Harare City 1 — @Mdawini_29
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