Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE drama and the disappointment that followed FC Platinum’s first league defeat of the season has almost died down, and the Zvishavane side will today take to the field to begin their quest for a third Chibuku Super Cup title when they welcome Manica Diamonds in a first-round match at Mandava.
There are also some exciting duels lined up today as Dynamos, winners of the previous two editions of the country’s premier cup competition, take their title defence to log leaders Simba Bhora.
Fellow giants CAPS United also have a tricky away assignment against MWOS at Ngoni Stadium in Norton while Hebert Maruwa’s TelOne host Bikita Minerals at Ascot.
While the spotlight is most likely to be on DeMbare’s title defence, which began with a preliminary round penalty shootout victory over Yadah during the midweek, it will also be interesting to see how Norman Mapeza and his men will react to last week’s league fiasco.
The platinum miners, who were winners of the inaugural edition in 2014 as well as the 2021 event, will be at home again as they look to erase memories of their last league game when they capitulated to their worst ever defeat in domestic football.
Norman Mapeza’s men suffered a 5-2 loss at the hands of championship rivals Scottland, to end an unbeaten run this season that had stretched 22 games.
The defeat was followed by rumours of match-fixing and suspension of some players pending investigations.
FC Platinum, however, refuted the claims.
The teams meet in the tournament for the second year running, having faced off in the quarter-finals of the 2024 edition.
FC Platinum lost the tie 0-1 and crashed out of the tournament. A win today could go a long way in avenging the disappointment.
MWOS, another team that had been doing well in the league until recently, will plunge into their maiden Chibuku Super Cup campaign against CAPS United at their Ngoni fortress.
Lloyd Mutasa’s men are win-less in their last five matches, and the Chibuku Super Cup could provide a necessary diversion from the mid-season slump.
CAPS United are not entirely new to them, having floored the Harare giants 2-1 at the same venue when they met for the first time in the league two months ago.
But the Green Machine have warned that the circumstances have changed, as they also look to end a long-standing jinx by winning their first Chibuku Super Cup this season.
“As CAPS United family we are pressing to challenge for the Chibuku Super Cup,” said assistant coach Alexio Sigion.
“It’s a cup that gives us room for continental football. So, it’s not a small cup . . . we are promising our supporters that we will do the best that we can.
“When we played there (at Ngoni), we were not happy with the result that we got against MWOS. So, it’s a game that we are going to play with pride and emotions to make sure we get the best results.
“We urge supporters to come in numbers. Right now, we are playing for the supporters, we are playing for the badge, and we are also playing for ourselves,” said Sigion.
Tomorrow, star-studded Scottland will host GreenFuel at Sakubva while former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars welcome Triangle at Baobab.
Just a few days after sharing a cool US$100 000 for the convincing 5-2 win over premiership title rivals FC Platinum at Mandava, the lavish newboys will be hoping to extend their momentum to the cup competition.
Scottland are unbeaten in their last five games and have made a huge statement of intent with their mid-season transfer business that brought in former national team captain Knowledge Musona, fellow Warriors striker Terrence Dzvukamanja and Young Warriors sensation Mafious Chihweta.
Their coach Tonderai Ndiraya is upbeat.
“We’ve won five games on the trot. Very impressive. Hopefully, we can keep on doing the same,” said Ndiraya ahead of the trip to Mutare.
The Premier Soccer League are expecting the tournament to be played in an environment that promotes Fair Play and well as prioritise the supporters’ needs.
The total purse for the tournament is $375 000. The winner will pocket $75 000 and a ticket to represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Confederation Cup.
PSL acting chief executive officer Rodwell Thabe captured the anticipated excitement.
“This tournament remains a platform where all our 18 PSL clubs have an equal opportunity to compete for cup glory and the honour of representing the nation at the Cup Confederation Cup.
“Last season was really captivating and this year we challenge our clubs to raise the bar even higher. Score more goals, fill the stadiums and create memories that will last a lifetime,” he said.
“The Chibuku Super Cup, like I’ve said, is always full of surprises and has become a true showcase of unpredictability. And we remain committed to fulfilling the basic requirements to make our football matches a pleasure to experience by focusing on three core aspects — the safety of our fans and stakeholders, the security and the service that we give to them,” said Thabe.
Fixtures
Today: Simba Bhora v Dynamos (Wadzanayi), MWOS v CAPS United (Ngoni), TelOne v Bikita Minerals (Ascot), FC Platinum v Manica Diamonds (Mandava)
Tomorrow: Scottland v GreenFuel (Sakubva), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Triangle (Baobab)
Postponed: ZPC Kariba v Chicken Inn (Nyamhunga), Herentals v Highlanders (Nyamhunga)
