Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE wild celebrations at three venues at the weekend told a much bigger story than just progress to the Munhumutapa Cup semi-finals.
FC Hunters, minnows in every measure, were first to reach the last four after rallying from 0-2 down to draw 2-2 in the last five minutes before sending favourites CAPS United packing on penalties at Rufaro on Saturday.
On Sunday, Scottland and Herentals outsmarted Bulawayo Chiefs and Hardrock on penalties at Rufaro and Chahwanda respectively, while FC Platinum easily accounted for Central Region Soccer League leaders Blanket Mine 3-0 at Luveve.
With the winners of the inaugural edition getting the ticket to represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Confederation Cup next season, the wild celebrations were understandable.
But that’s not all. Winners will pocket a cool US$1 million, runners-up US$400 000 and losing semi-finalists US$96 000 each.
That means the quartet of Herentals College, FC Hunters, FC Platinum and Scottland are guaranteed at least US$96 000 — almost the same amount the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions will get after 34 games.
In fact, the Munhumutapa Cup is now the richest knockout competition in Africa and the ninth richest in the world in terms of what is paid to the winners.
Before the competition, sponsored by President Mnangagwa, came into being, the biggest knockout contest was the Chibuku Super Cup.
South Africa’s MTN8 Cup has all along paid the biggest on the continent, with winners getting about US$561 000, except for Egypt Cup’s one-off final in Saudi Arabia two years ago when Al Ahly got about US$950 000 for beating Zamalek.
That means MTN8, whose winners get almost half what Munhumutapa winners will pocket, is officially the second richest in Africa. It is only contested by eight teams who finished in the top eight the previous season.
If scope is considered, Munhumutapa is even further ahead. Morocco’s rich Throne Cup pays winners just US$152 000.
The US$1 million payout puts Munhumutapa in the world’s Top 10. Only Brazil’s Copa do Brasil (US$15.3m), Italy’s Coppa Italia (US$8.15m), Germany’s DFB-Pokal (US$4.7m), Saudi Arabia’s King’s Cup (US$2.66m), England’s FA Cup (US$2.55m), the Leagues Cup (US$2m), Spain’s Copa del Rey (US$1.3m) and Japan’s Emperor’s Cup pay more.
And the teams who have progressed could not be happier.
Herentals College will face Scottland in one semi-final while FC Hunters clash with FC Platinum in the other.
“It’s a satisfying feeling to secure progress into the Munhumutapa Cup semi-final,” said Herentals coach Paul Benza.
“The game against Hardrock was very tricky. We knew we were going to suffer in the game but our plan worked very well. Everything went exactly as we had planned. The early goal settled our nerves and we were very happy. We are now looking forward to the next round.”
Scottland gaffer Norman Mapeza is looking forward to the clash against Herentals while FC Hunters’ Nesbert Saruchera said: “I really want to appreciate the boys for the effort.
This is a massive step towards the final and we will work as hard as we can to win it.”
