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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
FIREWORKS are expected in the penultimate round of the 2022 Chibuku Super Cup to be staged this afternoon at Mandava Stadium, with fans guaranteed a superb football double treat.
The Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals double header which will be broadcast live on Zimbabwe Television Network (ZTN), will see Bulawayo Chiefs taking on 1987 winners Black Rhinos in a lunchtime kick-off game.
Defending champions FC Platinum will then face Herentals in a repeat of last weekend’s league encounter that the former won 1-0 at the same venue. Unlike in league games where teams will be content with sharing spoils, there’s no such luxury in cup games as there should be a winner at the end of the day. All the teams will want to avoid going for the penalty shootouts and wrap their encounters within the regulated 90 minutes.
Being in the final of the Chibuku Super Cup is all that is in the minds of all the teams, meaning that both encounters are likely to be open, with each side throwing everything they have in search of goals.
All the teams have declared their sides ready for the fights. Bulawayo Chiefs assistant coach Thulani Sibanda says his charges are keen on playing a home final and are ready for a grueling encounter against Black Rhinos. The final of the Chibuku Super Cup will be played on November 19 at Barbourfields Stadium.
“After realising that we are safe from being relegated, we redirected our focus on the Chibuku Super Cup that we felt we’ve got a chance of ending the season with some silverware. The attitude of the boys has been great, they’re ready to fight so that we sail through to the final. They believe they can do it, we believe they can do it and it will be nice to be in the final and play it in our home town,” said Sibanda.
Amakhosi Amahle will bank on the experience of former national team quartet of Kelvin Madzongwe, Kelvin Moyo, Perfect Chikwende and Elvis Moyo in their quest to beat Black Rhinos. They also have attacking players Mthokozisi Msebe and Arthur Musiyiwa who on a good day can inflict pain on the opponents.
Black Rhinos will look for inspiration from their goalkeeper Blessing Mwandimutsira, former Dynamos defender Peace Makaha, ex-Bulawayo Chiefs captain Gracious Muleya, as well as strikers Eli Lunga and Tawanda Nyamandwe.
Black Rhinos coach Stanford Mutizwa, who won the tournament as a player in 1987, scoring both goals as they beat Caps United 2-1 in the final, has ruled out room for error by his charges.
“Every game is a different game and for this one, we are going to take it more seriously because I think when we lost to them the last time in the league we were not that serious. This time around I expect the boys to be more determined and serious because we are all hoping to be in the final. We only achieve that when we take this semi-final game seriously and I’m positive we can achieve our target,” Mutizwa said.
To be in the semi-finals, Black Rhinos edged Caps United 1-0 on the first day and defeated Chicken Inn 9-8 on penalties after finishing the match 1-1 in regulation time.
Defending champions FC Platinum’s coach Norman Mapeza is happy with their preparations.
“The guys have been pushing and I’m more than happy. You can tell that everyone is focused, you can tell everybody is ready for the game. I think both teams have the same objectives to go to the final. It won’t be an easy game but we have to put everything into the game and have a positive attitude.
My hope is that we finish the game in under 90 minutes because penalties are always difficult. One thing we won’t do is sit back, we’re going to attack and be organised at the back. I think it will be an open game for both teams,” said Mapeza.
Goalkeeper Wallace Magalane, defending pair of Lawrence Mhlanga and skipper Gift Bello, midfield trio of Rainsome Pavari, Brian Banda and Juan Mutudza as well as attacking pair of Wisdom Mutasa and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya are players to watch from FC Platinum.
Herentals will be without suspended attacking midfielder Tino Benza. Kumbirai Mutiwekuziwa, Herentals coach said: “Going into the game as under-dogs kind-a-like takes off some pressure.
We go there with a positive mind, ready to give a good fight. We would have loved to have everyone available but that’s not an excuse as we’re determined to make an impact in this competition. To be where we are, it has always been great team work and we’ve to be at our best to eliminate FC Platinum.”
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