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Fungai Muderere
INFORM Highlanders duo of Marvin Sibanda and Archford Faira is set to pass a late fitness test ahead of the Chibuku Super Cup first round soccer match against Greenfuel on Sunday at Barbourfields Stadium.
Bosso head coach Kelvin Kaindu revealed on Thursday that they resumed training in preparation of the cup tie with everyone with the only absentees being the trio of Andrew Mbeba, fast improving young goalkeeper Reward Muza and McKinnon Mushore due to Defence Forces Day national team commitment.
“We resumed training with everyone apart from the guys who played for the national team (Andrew Mbeba and McKinnon Mushore) during the week. In terms of injuries, we had knocks to Marvin Sibanda and Archford Faira,” said Kaindu.
The Zambian gaffer is aware of the gigantic hurdle that they are to face on Sunday and his charges will have to throw in all they have in order to do well in their 2024 Chibuku Super Cup journey.
“The cup game comes with a lot at stake. Especially now, given this is the competition we are all participating in with the winners getting an opportunity to represent the country in Africa. The prize money is also quite huge for the teams that will be competing.
“It’s not easy but what we need to do is to focus. When you are planning for a cup game it’s different from a normal game. There has to be a winner but in a league game some teams will be playing for a draw. In a cup game, the team that wins has more chances of getting into the final which is why it’s important to win every game,” said Kaindu.
In other Chibuku Super Cup first round matches the Khama Billiat-inspired Yadah Stars are set to make the trip to Bulawayo for a date with Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium.
Former league champions FC Platinum will take on TelOne at Mandava Stadium while Manica Diamonds will play host to Chegutu Pirates at Mutare’s Sakubva Stadium. Simba Bhora and Herentals will battle it out while CAPS United take on Bikita Minerals at Sakubva Stadium.
The competition will progress to the quarter-finals on September 21-22, followed by the semi-finals on October 26-27. The final of the tournament is set for November 30 at a venue yet to be announced.
Dynamos were the 2023 Chibuku Super Cup Champions after they saw off the Ngezi Platinum challenge at Baobab Stadium. It was a deserved victory for Dynamos as defending league champions Ngezi Platinum never rose to the occasion on the day.
The triumph not only ended Dynamos’ major cup drought but also earned them a spot in the Caf Confederation Cup in 2024 while Ngezi, who won 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title, will be playing in the Caf Champions League.
Chibuku Super Cup first round matches
Saturday
FC Platinum v TelOne (Mandava), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Bulawayo Chiefs (Postponed), Simba Bhora v Herentals (Wadzanayi), Chicken Inn v Yadah Stars (Luveve), Bikita Minerals v CAPS United (Sakubva)
Sunday
Manica v Chegutu Pirates (Sakubva), Highlanders v Greenfuel (Barbourfields), Dynamos v ZPC (Postponed)
Online Reporter