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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
BELGIUM-based former Soccer Star of the Year Cephas Chimedza has tipped Monomotapa and Dynamos to go through to the final of BancABC Sup8r Cup whose semi-finals are on today and tomorrow.
The 2010 league champions Monomotapa take on expensively assembled Zvishavane- based FC Platinum at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon while Harare giants Dynamos play against Shabanie Mine at the same venue tomorrow.
“Monomotapa are not doing so well in the league and would want to redeem themselves with a cup final while Dynamos have been there before and feel like the cup is theirs,” said Chimedza who turns out for Division Three side Royal Cappellen FC in Belgium.
Chimedza, who had a two-year stint at Dynamos in 2001 and 2002 before moving to a then unstoppable Caps United under Charles Mhlauri, believes Shabanie Mine will not have the necessary stamina to stop the DeMbare machine which feels at home while playing at Barbourfields Stadium.
“Shabanie Mine will be overwhelmed by the occasion and I don’t see them stopping Dynamos,” said Chimedza.
All the four teams in the semi-finals are already guaranteed $20 000 with the two teams that will pull through this weekend set to fight for the $120 000 winners first prize with the losing finalists getting $50 000.
Of the four semi-finalists only Dynamos have tasted winners’ medals in 2010 although under still very controversial circumstances after Highlanders were booted out through boardroom decisions.
The first match at Barbourfields Stadium had been abandoned due to crowd trouble in the 73rd minute with Dynamos leading 1-0 and this forced the intervention of the disciplinary committee who ordered a replay at a neutral venue in Kwekwe. Again DeMbare protested against the venue and it was later changed to the giant National Sports Stadium. Highlanders went there so did the officials but the Harare giants were in no show arguing they had won the initial match.
A Zifa Appeals committee subsequently awarded thegame to Dynamos on a 3-0 scoreline.
Meanwhile, with two Midlands sides still in the semis, there is a huge possibility of an all Zvishavane final with Mandava Stadium likely to play host to a second final in 2013 after the season opener NetOne Charity Shield which was won by Chicken Inn.
Online Reporter