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Fungai Muderere
WITHOUT the services of speedy midfielder, bruised Chicken Inn will on Saturday welcome Manica Diamonds in a potentially exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) tie that will be played at Luveve Stadium.
Going into the match, Gamecocks are a bruised lot after losing 2-0 ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga Stadium last weekend.
“It’s unfortunate I will not be part of our game against Manica Diamonds due to suspension. But it all comes through hard work and we are very much confident that we will soon find our rhythm back,” said.
Charamba is a 2023 Soccer Star of the Year finalist. Charamba picked up his third yellow card of the season last Sunday in their game against ZPC Kariba. Speaking ahead of their match against the Gem Boys, head coach Joey Antipas said: “We fought hard against ZPC Kariba but nothing came for us. We left ourselves down defensively against ZPC Kariba. It is one of those things to work on as we go for the next game. We need to pick ourselves up. We will need to pick ourselves up and go for the next game against Manica Diamonds.”
In-form Simba Bhora welcome equally in form Yadah Stars at Wadzanayi Stadium. On Sunday, Philani “Beefy” Ncube will lead Arenel Movers for their game against fellow new boys Bikita Minerals at Sakubva Stadium. CAPS United will square it off against FC Platinum at Rufaro Stadium. TelOne welcome Hwange at Gweru’s Bata Stadium.
Meanwhile, the draw of 2024 Chibuku Super Cup was held on Thursday in Harare ahead of Week 22 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixtures set to be played on Saturday and Sunday at different venues in the country. The tournament is set to kick off on August 9 with four bottom clubs on the log set to start in the preliminary round playoffs. The two winners then join the top 14 sides in the round of 16.
The top eight teams as of the Week 17 log standings were the seeded sides and will start at home. Dynamos were the 2023 Chibuku Super Cup Champions after they saw off the Ngezi Platinum challenge at Baobab Stadium. It was a deserved victory for Dynamos who from the first whistle appeared to be the hungrier of the two sides.
League champions, Ngezi Platinum never rose to the occasion on the day. The Harare giants emerged triumphant with a 2-0 win, marking a significant achievement for the former premiership champions and securing their return to continental football.
The triumph not only ended Dynamos’ major cup drought but also earned them a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2024 while Ngezi, who won 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title, will be playing in the CAF Champions League. Dynamos had last won a major trophy in 2014 after former coach Kalisto Pasuwa led them to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title – the last of their four successive league titles – under the mentorship of the legendary former Warriors coach.
The Chibuku Super Cup was a befitting finish to the year as DeMbare were celebrating their 60th anniversary while it was also a significant achievement for the club’s head coach Genesis Mangombe, who was in his first year in charge.
2024 Chibuku Super Cup Draw
First Round Draw FC Platinum v Telone/Arenel, Manica Diamonds v Chegutu Pirates/Hwange. Ngezi Platinum v Bulawayo Chiefs, Simba Bhora v Herentals, Highlanders v Greenfuel, Dynamos v ZPC Kariba, Bikita Minerals v CAPS United, Chicken Inn v Yadah
Competition Dates
Preliminary Round: 7 August; First Round:17-18 August; Quarter Final: 21-22 September; Semi Final:26-27 October; Final: 30 November.
Online Reporter