Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
HWANGE FC club administrator Khumbulani Mbano has predicted a tough encounter when Chipangano face ZPC Hwange in the Zifa Southern Region Division One Wafa Wafa cup competition quarter-final at the Colliery this afternoon.
The match promises to be an explosive one taking into consideration that this is a derby and there is pride and bragging rights at stake.
Hwange progressed to the quarter-finals after they convincingly beat Mosi Rovers 3-0 in the first round. ZPC Hwange on the other hand qualified after Binga United who were their first-round opponents failed to get their players tested for Covid-19 leading to the game being called off. By virtue of the two teams being stationed in Hwange they were paired together for the quarter-final
“This is a very difficult game to predict. There is a great rivalry between the two sides which makes this a good game. It will be an interesting game in the sense that both teams know each other very well.
Just like any other derby this will certainly be a tough encounter for both sides. I can assure you that the fans that will come for this one will enjoy the encounter,” said Mbano.
“The encounter is going to show people we are ready for full time football. It will be evidence that we are ready for the league proper,” he added.
The other quarter-final encounters will see Casmyn taking on Indlovu Iyanyathela at Turkmine this afternoon.
Tomorrow will see a double header set for White City Stadium where Bosso 90 will take on Ajax Hotspurs while Arenel face Emakhandeni Pirates.
Arenal who stunned Talen Vision 1-0 in the first round say they are taking a cautious approach into their quarter-final tie against Makhandeni Pirates.
“When we were drawn against Talen Vision in the first round the boys got some self-motivation and psyched up themselves. I am sure it’s the same spirit, in the Makhandeni camp after they heard they face us. It’s not easy facing opponents you know little about but we are here to do our best,” said Arenel coach Kudzayi Mhandire.
The pre-season competition will see winners cashing in US$3 000. Losing finalists going home with US$2 000. Tournament rules are that once the teams are tied up at the end of 90 minutes, they will head straight to penalty shootouts. — -@innocentskizoe
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