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Highlanders in the quarter-final of the BancABC Sup8r Trophy at a neutral venue of Baghdad tomorrow.
The Green Machine come into this match suffering from the cruel 0-1 defeat they suffered at the hands of bitter Harare rivals Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
DeMbare scored a late, late winner and it was also the same story, when CAPS United played Highlanders at Barbourfields in a league match, and lost to a last-minute goal headed in by Gilbert Banda.
Tomorrow, the Green Machine will be hoping for better tidings.
Since the turn of the millennium, CAPS United’s credentials as the undisputed kings in the knockout competitions have been questioned, save for 2004, when they swept all major trophies with Charles Muhlauri in charge.
The Green Machine lost 3-2 to city rivals Dynamos in the BancABC Sup8r Cup final last year at the National Sports Stadium and, early this year, CAPS United were beaten in the Bob ‘87 Super Cup by DeMbare.
In the BancABC competition last year, CAPS United staggered to the final as they worked overtime to beat Shooting Stars at the quarterfinal stages
The first quarterfinal game ended goalless and had to be abandoned while the replay nearly turned into a circus.
CAPS United bundled home a hotly-disputed equaliser with the last touch of the game to force a 3-3 draw and force the tie into a penalty shoot-out which they won 4-1.
Highlanders had worked their way to a 1-0 win over Monomotapa as Eric Mudzingwa scored in extra-time in the other quarter-final game.
CAPS also needed more than 90 minutes to beat Lengthens in the semi-final as they won 3-2 on penalties after the tie had been goalless after extra-time.
On the other hand, Highlanders were straining the patience of the sponsors as they had earned the tag of being the bad boys of the Premiership after their semi-final tie against Dynamos was hotly-disputed and spilled into the courts of law.
Eventually sanity prevailed and Dynamos were awarded the game and they faced CAPS United in the final.
Goals from Dylan Chivandire, Archie Gutu and Milton Makopa helped Dynamos to lift the richest domestic knockout tournament while CAPS got their goals from Vincent Nzombe and Joel Lupahla.
Now Nzombe has since left CAPS United and will be turning out for Highlanders tomorrow.
The bustling striker, who had little game time at CAPS United, appears to be striking the right chords at Bosso and yesterday said it will be showtime in KweKwe.
“There is a prize for the top goal scorer and man-of-the-match to be won in this cup game and it’s my wish to land the accolades.
“As a striker, I should be going into the game with the anticipation of scoring and if it’s my day, then I should score.
“However, what is important is that we should play as a team and find the goals.
“But if we play as a team even the goalkeeper and defenders can score,” said Nzombe.
The former Shabanie Mine striker is aware that both CAPS United and Highlanders are coming into the game after defeats in their last league games.
CAPS lost 1-0 to Dynamos in a derby that failed to produce the fireworks while Bosso were stunned by Hwange by a solitary goal at Barbourfields.
“There is need to be positive when we approach the game.
“I hope we should search for an early goal because this is a cup game. We have to put the defeat behind and us and win this game,” said Nzombe.
According to the amended rules of the BancABC Sup8r Trophy, the matches will go straight to a penalty shoot-out in the event of a draw after 90 minutes.
“This means they should be a winner at the end of day in these cup games.
“We need to score goals and avoid the penalties,” said Nzombe.
Nzombe believes he has found a new lease of life since leaving CAPS United but the giant striker said there is room for improvement.
“So far so good for my stay at Highlanders.
“I have settled well but I am yet to reach my full potential,” said Nzombe.
On Thursday, CAPS United striker Evans Gwekwerere also challenged his team-mates to score early goals.
CAPS United defenders allowed Dynamos to score a soft goal in the league match and this time they hope giant goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda will be alert.
In another BancABC Sup8r quarter-final, Shabanie Mine play Gunners at Ascot today.
Both teams are struggling in the league but they are hoping to be the surprise packets in this year’s edition of the knock-out cup.
Gunners will be without Qadr Amin, who is with Under-23s in South Africa, but they welcome David Sengu, George Chigova and Nathan Ziwini who had gone away without official leave.
Shabanie will have to recharge their batteries after a 5-1 defeat to Black Mambas in the league game and they will be praying they avoid a baptism of fire in their maiden appearance in the BancABC Trophy.
Our Correspondent, Saul Mundandi said Shabanie Mine coach Arnold Jani is dreaming of landing the cup.
“When you go into a competition you always want to win. Nobody wants to be last. I want to land my hands on the cup.
“I want to win against Gunners and qualify for the semi-finals and even the finals, “he said.
Jani says winning the cup will boost his CV as a coach.
“If I win the cup it will be a very good thing for me as a young up-and-coming coach.
“I also want to have something to show in my football career. I am not afraid of Gunners but I respect them.
“They are a very good side and I have already put away the defeat that we suffered at Morris Depot that was coupled with a lot of drama,” he said.
The last time Shabanie lifted a trophy was in 2003 under the guidance of Moses Chunga, winning the OK Woza Bhora Trophy, when Jani was still a player.
The asbestos miners are likely to miss Rowan Nenzou who is struggling with a groin but veteran Tafadzwa Mombeshora makes a return to the team. Stakes are very high as winners will pocket $50 000.
The sponsors are also taking care of all the expenses in the sponsorship deal which includes kit, transport, accommodation and transport.
The coming of the two BancABC Sup8r matches to the Midlands towns of Gweru and Kwekwe have been welcomed by the Zifa Central Region who have adjusted their Division One programme to accommodate the cup games.
In other matches set for next weekend Dynamos will play Hwange at Gibbo Stadium in Chiredzi while Motor Action will return to their once former home ground Sakubva Stadium for a date against Monomotapa.
Today Shooting Stars will play FC Platinum in a friendly at Sakubva.
BancABC Sup8r quarter finals
Today
Gunners v Shabanie (Ascot)
Tomorrow
CAPS United v Highlanders (Baghdad)
Friendly – Shooting Stars vs FC Platinum (Sakubva).
Online Reporter