Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira [email protected]
BULAWAYO Chiefs are relishing the challenge of facing champions Scottland in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup quarter-finals at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday, with their coach saying they are fully aware of what awaits them.
The Ninjas booked their place in the last eight after beating Chili FC 2-0 in the previous round and now face a Scottland side that has established itself as one of the leading forces in the country.
Chiefs’ coach John Nyikadzino said his charges have been preparing well for the assignment and are looking forward to testing themselves against the champions.
“We are looking forward to the game. We have been preparing well for this match and we know what awaits us.
“We know the quality of the team we are going to face and the kind of challenge that comes with playing a team like Scottland,” said the coach.
“We have to make sure that we prepare properly because this is a different game. It is a cup game and there is a place in the semi-finals at stake. We know what is required from us and the players are looking forward to the challenge.”
Scottland enter the contest after an emphatic 6-0 demolition of MWOS Under-19 in the last 16, underlining the attacking threat Chiefs will have to contain.
However, Chiefs have also shown their ability to negotiate knockout football and will head to Rufaro hoping to produce another disciplined performance.
The coach said the occasion itself should provide his players with enough motivation.
“We know the game will not be easy, but these are the games that you want to play in. We have to go there and compete.
“We have prepared for what we are going to face and now it is about going onto the pitch and executing what we have been working on,” he said.
The quarter-final presents Chiefs with an opportunity to eliminate the champions and book their place in the semi-finals of the inaugural competition.
For Scottland, the pressure will be on them to justify their status as one of the tournament’s leading sides, while Chiefs will be hoping to exploit the unpredictability that often comes with knockout football.
The other quarter-final ties will see CAPS United face FC Hunters at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday, Hardrock take on Herentals on Sunday Chahwanda at while Blanket Mine meet FC Platinum at Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda.
