adminturn themselves into the Biblical Davids who will bring down the mighty Goliaths.
Having stormed into the quarter finals of the US$1 million tournament, the small boys will be hoping to continue with their fine run in the richest knockout tournament in the country.
The Wild Boys stunned Hwange 1-0 in the first round to set up a date with Harare giants Dynamos at Maglas.
Blue Ribbon were the first round’s biggest winners, running riot against Shabanie at Ascot, with striker Felix Kuswatuka scoring a brace in the 4-0 victory.
However, the newboys face a real test when they clash with league champions Motor Action at Torwood on Sunday.
The champions are favourite against the Tambawakaguta Boys but gaffer Misheck Chidzambwa believes the game can go either way.
In their latest meeting two weeks ago, Chidzambwa’s charges surprised the defending league champions 1-0 at the Motor Action Sports Club.
And with that match still fresh in the Mighty Bulls’ minds, the two clubs’ clash this weekend has an added spice.
“We know it will be a tough match. We are new in the league and definitely not in their class and we are underdogs going into this match.
“But Cup games are tricky. Who knew that Hwange would lose to Shooting Stars?
“Obviously, they don’t want to lose to us again. But we are going to Kwekwe hoping we will come out with a win. The better team on the day will win the match,” said Chidzambwa.
Shooting Stars’ coach Jostein Mathuthu believes a good run in the Mbada Diamonds Cup game will motivate his charges as they fight for Premiership survival.
The Wild Boys will meet the Glamour Boys at Maglas on Sunday.
The match was initially fixtured for Mandava, the home ground of FC Platinum.
“We are going into the match as underdogs but we just have to make sure that we do well. It will be a motivation for us in our fight for survival.
“But if I had it my way I would say I would concentrate on the league so that next year we can still be part of the league and play in the tournament again,” said Mathuthu.
The gaffer, who recently rejoined the club, said they have a clean bill of health, apart from the long-term injuries of Willard Manyatera and Edmore Mashiri.
“Eddie has a nagging injury which has been troubling him and I’m not sure he will play because in the last match he couldn’t carry on with the match,” said Mathuthu.
Shooting Stars have been at the receiving end from DeMbare twice this season, first losing 1-0 before they were crushed 4-1 as the Glamour Boys ran riot with goals from Murape Murape, Cuthbert Malajila, Rodrick Mutuma and Thomas Magorimbo.
While other teams are looking at slaying giants, there is also an intriguing battle of the basement teams with Kiglon facing Zimbabwe Saints at Chishamiso in Hippo Valley.
With life in the Premiership looking bleak, the teams will probably be looking at going down with some respect, and a bigger bank balance.
Kiglon mentor Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe believes his team have a realistic chance to survive relegation.
“We are not reading much into it. It is going to be a difficult game for us. We still have hope to survive relegation. But for Saints, if I look at their position, I think they are almost out.
“And their efforts could be concentrated in the Cup.
“They are going to put everything into the Cup game. But we will give it our best shot. They are not a bad side and have just been unfortunate with poor results. So facing such a team is really difficult,” said Jongwe.
Chauya Chikwata assistant coach Admore Sibanda said his troops were looking beyond the quarter finals stage.
“We are preparing for this match. We want to go into the semis. We don’t want to lose both, the league and the Cup.
“And winning against Kiglon will keep our hopes alive in the Cup.
“After two weeks we will be meeting again in a league match in Harare and we have to win one of these matches.
“Despite losing to Blue Ribbon at the weekend, the boys are working hard at training and looking forward to the match” said Sibanda.
Chauya Chikwata, who are coached by legendary son Ephraim Chawanda, beat Highlanders in the first round and will be banking on the experience of players such as Chipo Tsodzo and John Kapenya to deflate Kiglon.
Fixtures:
Saturday: Zimbabwe Saints v Kiglon (Chishamiso, Hippo Valley); FC Platinum v Gunners (Hwange).
Sunday: Motor Action v Blue Ribbon (Torwood, Kwekwe); Dynamos v Shooting Stars (Maglas).
Online Reporter