Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda in CHIREDZI
THE Chibuku Super Cup final returns to Gibbo after seven years, with home side Triangle United targeting a second sip of the Premier knock-out football tourney when they engage Dynamos in the Lowveld this afternoon.
Triangle hosted the 2018 final, emerging 2-0 victors over Harare City.
Taurai Mangwiro, now at GreenFuel, was in charge of the Sugar Boys while Mark Harrison led the Sunshine Boys in a memorable final that brought immense joy to the people of Chiredzi and the surrounding areas.
The Chibuku Super Cup final is back in the Lowveld, albeit in different circumstances.
Mangombe is now in charge at Triangle and the youthful gaffer has endured a topsy-turvy season since his arrival as replacement for the sacked Luke Masomere.
A week after masterminding a sensational Triangle survival from relegation, in which they had to come from behind to force a 1-1 draw against GreenFuel in Chisumbanje, Mangombe must now guide his charges to Chibuku Super Cup success.
It would also be the former Yadah Stars coach’s second success in the tournament should he win this afternoon.
He led DeMbare to the podium in 2023.
Dynamos went on to win a second title in 2024 and are aiming for an unprecedented third on the trot. Standing between the Glamour Boys and this record is Mangombe, who is eyeing his own glory.
Mangombe thinks Triangle have a lot of advantages going into this contest.
Apart from the obvious home-ground edge, Mangombe believes weather conditions could work in his team’s favour.
He has coached several of the current DeMbare players.
“I know a lot about Dynamos, from the tradition, culture and the players,” Mangombe told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
When Mangombe took over from Masomere in May, Triangle had only registered a point on the board.
He changed a lot of things and Triangle started grinding results including the 1-1 draw at GreenFuel that guaranteed their safety from the Premiership drop zone.
“Surviving relegation was something special,’’ Mandombe said.
“If a coach is giving good results, positive results, it means you are doing the right thing.
“It shows you’re on the right track. And whenever we play football, we play for results.
“And the world will see, people will notice you are doing a great job.”
Mangombe is aware that cup games are a different kettle of fish.
“So now we are also in the Cup final.
“And in itself, it means we’ve been working very hard because out of 18 teams, there are only two left, which means we could be number one or number two.
“I have won this tournament before, and I have the experience.
“Playing at home will give us a lot of advantages. It’s very hot and humid in this part of the country, so we are going to make sure that we use it to our advantage.
“We also know the turf because we are used to playing at Gibbo.
“These are some of the advantages which could give us the edge in this Cup final.”
Interestingly, Dynamos have failed to beat Triangle at Gibbo since 2016.
