‘Everyone will be a winner’

Augustine Hwata in HARARE and Paul Mundandi in ZVISHAVANE
LLOYD Mutasa says tomorrow’s BancABC Sup8r Cup final between FC Platinum and Shabanie Mine at Mandava would be a celebration for the way football has developed in Zvishavane. Mutasa joined the platinum miners this season after the departure of the Zambian Tennant Chilumba and has helped steady their ship.

He believes that irrespective of the identity of the winners tomorrow, the big picture was that Zvishavane would have secured a huge victory in football in this country.

“It is going to be a victory. I know the match will be tough. We have beaten Shabanie before and we both need the trophy but I am happy that whatever the outcome it is going to be good for the Zvishavane community,” Mutasa.

“The Zvishavane community is going to watch good football. We will be playing at home and great teams that win the championship win at home.

“We are not going to let go the trophy very easily. My youngsters earned the stripes to play for the national team because they were doing well at club level.

“Everyone is fighting for a place and we do not rely on individuals but we play as a team. We went past difficult opponents and we deserve to lift the Cup and it’s good to meet (Luke) Masomere.”

FC Platinum have a good strikeforce that features the likes of Charles Sibanda, Michelle Katsvairo, Nelson Maziwisa, Zambian import Obrey Chirwa and Marshal Mudehwe.

Ali Sadiki is likely to miss the match as he is nursing an injury.
Flags have flying the whole week in the mining town.

When the BancABC Sup8r Cup final roars into life tomorrow at Mandava, it could yet be another personal milestone for Allan Gahadzikwa.
The FC Platinum midfielder is set to make his third appearance in the BancABC Sup8r Cup final with as many clubs after he featured for Shooting Stars and Motor Action.

Gahadzikwa first played in the BancABC Sup8r Cup final as Lengthens beat Shooting Stars 2-1 at Rufaro.
During his days at the Wild Boys, Gahadzikwa had Lloyd Mutasa as his coach, the same gaffer who now guides him at FC Platinum.
In 2011 he was at Motor Action when his 10th minute strike powered the Mighty Bulls to a 1-0 victory over Highlanders at Barbourfields.
Now the gangly midfielder is hoping to collect his second winner’s medal from the tournament.

CAPS United won the inaugural edition of the BancABC Sup8r Cup when they beat Lengthens in 2008 while they lost to Dynamos in the 2010 edition.

The tournament was not played in 2012.
“This should be my third appearance in the BancABC Sup8r Cup final and I could say I am very expectant,” Gahadzikwa said yesterday.
“I remember that I lost the first final to Lengthens 2-1 but I won the other game with Motor Action.”

FC Platinum skipper Daniel Veremu also featured in the same Shooting Stars team with Gahadzikwa.
They are now together at FC Platinum.

“It has been an experience for me to play in the finals. Looking at the aggregate, I could say it’s 1-1 because I have lost once and won the other time.

“So it should be 2-1 after the final against Shabanie,” said Gahadzikwa.
Gahadzikwa said he was not taking Shabanie lightly after their neighbours beat them 1-0 during the league fixture early in this season.
A lot of sub-plots have been scripted ahead of this derby with Luke Masomere vowing to “teach FC Platinum a football lesson”.

For a brief 90 minutes tomorrow, business in the mining town could grind to a halt as attention focuses on the biggest derby in Zvishavane.
“The boys know what is expected of them and I believe most of the players are motivated because they are playing in the final,” said Gahadzikwa.

“I think this is going to be an exciting game and we should be well prepared, just like in all the other games.
“There could be some tension because we know each other but we want to do our best over the 90 minutes.

“Shabanie Mine are a very good team and that’s why they are in the final. So we are not going to underestimate them at all.”
To reach this final, FC Platinum beat Monomotapa when Ngoma and Sibanda fired them ahead while Last Sithole scored an own goal.
Hillary Mugoniwa pulled one back for Monoz. During the first round, FC Platinum prevailed over Highlanders while Shabanie beat Chicken Inn before stunning Dynamos in the semi-finals.

Winners from this year’s edition of the BancABC Sup8r will pocket US$120 000 while the runners up get US$50 000.