Giants split in Chibuku draw

Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
TRADITIONAL giants Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United were separated from the opening round of the Chibuku Super Cup, which bursts into life across the country on August 15. After Dynamos and CAPS United were paired in the NetOne OneWallet Cup, there was no repeat of such as draw as DeMbare were drawn to meet Back Rhinos while Makepekepe will face Chapungu.

Bosso will date Shabanie Mine as each of the top-flight clubs begin a quest to become the first team to have their names etched on the revived Chibuku Cup.

The draw of the Chibuku Super Cup being bankrolled by Delta Beverages for US$500 000 was conducted in Harare last night, where club representatives and the game’s stakeholders also had their first glimpse of the silverware.

The top eight teams as of week 15, the halfway mark of the Premiership season, were seeded thus Highlanders, ZPC Kariba, Dynamos, CAPS United, Hwange, Buffaloes, FC Platinum and How Mine were separated.

A $75 000 cheque is in the offing for the team that will win the cup while the losing finalists will pocket US$50 00 and semi-finalists walk away with $25 000 each.

Those teams that fall at the quarter-final stage will receive US$20 000 and the clubs that will exit the tournament in the first round will each get US$15 000.

The Premier Soccer League is expected to announce the venues for the first round matches today as well as the breakdown for prize money of other individual awards.

After the first round of matches, another draw would be conducted.
The remaining bottom eight went into the hat. The first team to be picked out of the hat by Chibuku General Manager Mark Mudimbu were Shabanie Mine, who were automatically paired with Week 15 leaders Highlanders.

In a speech read on her behalf by Sports Promotion and Development Officer in the ministry Regis Chabata, the Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga hailed the corporate entities such as Delta Corporation for complementing Government efforts in transforming sport.

“I would like to salute Delta Corporation for remaining one of the strongest investors in our local football, a development that has seen a lot of talent being nurtured for domestic and international markets. This kind of support is what is needed for our young generations to see a reason to take up sport and football in particular as a means for earning a decent living.

“My ministry welcomes the role played by members of the corporate world such as Delta Corporation in complementing Government efforts in transforming the sport sector into a vibrant industry that ensures socio-economic development for talented sports persons.

“Football, like any other sport has the potential to uplift the livelihood of Zimbabweans by creating various employment opportunities such as players and coaches getting employed by teams, selling of food and beverages at sporting venues, manufacturing and selling of replica jerseys, thereby eradicating poverty,’ Chabata said.

Chabata also appealed to Delta to look into refurbishing infrastructure such as Chibuku Stadium, which was named after the famous brand of opaque beer Chibuku.

“In 1979, Delta Corporation through their Chibuku brand, significantly contributed financially to the construction of Chibuku Stadium in collaboration with Chitungwiza Municipality. The facility has significantly contributed to the development of football in and around the community of Chitungwiza.

“Let me take this opportunity to appeal to you Delta Corporation to look back at the infrastructure, which was named Chibuku Stadium after your famous brand Chibuku, which today is in need of refurbishment. The stadium used to be one of the best football facilities in the country and it contributed immensely to the development of football, and top flight football was once staged there hence my appeal,” he said.

Delta marketing director Maxen Karombo called on football to promote the brand.
“This is not the first time that Chibuku is dabbling into football. We have invested a total of US$500 000 and hope will increase competitiveness in our league with this 16-team tournament. So football must protect the brand Chibuku as it is our delicate baby,’’ Karombo said.

Draw:
Highlanders v Shabanie; ZPC Kariba v Harare City; Dynamos v Black Rhinos; CAPS United v Chapungu; Hwange v Triangle; Buffaloes v Chiredzi; FC Platinum v Bantu Rovers; How Mine v Chicken Inn.