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Sports Reporter
In a peculiar twist of fate, three of the four football teams from Bulawayo will begin their Chibuku Super Cup campaigns away from home, leaving fans and players alike scratching their heads.
As the draws for the prestigious competition were made, a sense of déjà vu swept over the city, with each team learning they would be starting their journeys on unfamiliar turf.
Arenel Movers are away to TelOne in the preliminary round which will also see Hwange, another Southern Region team, away to Chegutu Pirates. In the first round proper which will be played on the weekend of 17 and 18 August Highlanders have been drawn to travel to Chisumbanje to face Adrian Silla and Green Fuel. Bulawayo Chiefs were drawn to face Ngezi Platinum while Chicken Inn are the only locals who will have home advantage in the first round when they welcome Khama Billiat and his Yadah. Even if Arenel get past TelOne in their away preliminary round encounter, they will still travel to Zvishavane to face FC Platinum in the first round.
The draw was guided by the competition rules which stated that top eight teams on Match day 17 were seeded and they will play their first round matches at home. The bottom four teams will play preliminary matches at a neutral venue.
Chibuku Super Cup draw
Preliminary round – 7 August
TelOne vs Arenel Movers; Chegutu Pirates vs. Hwange
First round – 17/18 August
FC Platinum vs. TelOne/Arenel Movers; Manica Diamonds vs. Chegutu Pirates/Hwange; Greenfuel vs Highlanders; Dynamos vs ZPC Kariba; Ngezi Platinum vs Byo Chiefs; Chicken Inn vs Yadah; Simba Bhora vs Herentals; Bikita Minerals vs Caps United.
derick.khumalo