Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has reshuffled several Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 32 fixtures, with key changes affecting Pacific Breeze Southern Region Soccer League clubs ahead of this weekend’s knockout action.
The biggest adjustment sees Dynamos’ eagerly anticipated clash with Hwange brought forward to Saturday at Hwange Colliery Stadium, with kick-off set for 3pm. The Harare giants will largely bank on captain Shadreck Nyawa to inspire an impressive result as they seek to avoid an early exit from the competition.
Hwange who are the owners of the Colliery Stadium, insisted on playing first at their facility than on Sunday unlike in the previously set fixture in which Bosso and Hardrock would have played on Saturday.
Highlanders will now take on giant killers Blackrock at the same venue a day later on Sunday, also starting at 3PM, in another blockbuster tie expected to attract a huge crowd. Bosso will largely depend on man-of-the-moment Mongameli Tshuma, whose outstanding form has made him one of the team’s biggest weapons. They will also look to the experience and leadership of captain Darlington Munkuli, Rainsome Pavari and Andrew Mbeba, while the creativity of Kudakwashe Mahachi and the safe hands of goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya will be crucial as the Bulawayo giants chase a place in the last 16.
The revised programme means Hwange Colliery Stadium will host two of the competition’s headline fixtures over the weekend as Premier Soccer League giants Dynamos and Highlanders begin their quest for Munhumutapa Cup glory.
Elsewhere, Jordan’s clash with Gwanda Pirates has also been rescheduled and will now be played on Saturday at Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda, with kick-off at 3PM.
Bulawayo outfit Aqua Stars have also seen their fixture altered. They will now play host to Chilli FC at Luveve Stadium on Monday, with the encounter also kicking off at 3PM.
The changes were confirmed by the Pacific Breeze Southern Region Soccer League, which urged all participating clubs, officials and supporters to take note of the amended fixtures.
With the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup being played on a straight knockout basis, there is no room for error as teams battle for a place in the next round.
The revised fixtures are expected to ease logistical challenges while ensuring smooth staging of the national competition. — @FungaiMuderere.
