Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CASTLE Lager Premiership giants Dynamos and CAPS United will tread cautiously as they begin their ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup campaigns this weekend away from their familiar hunting ground of Rufaro.
DeMbare and Makepekepe will be keen to avoid becoming victims of the giant-killing acts that have long defined domestic knockout football, especially the FA Cup.
The Munhumutapa Cup, the country’s flagship knockout competition, which attracted more than 400 teams from across the football pyramid, reaches the Round of 32 stage today, with top-flight club entering the fray for the first time.
As has often been the case in knockout tournaments, the spotlight is expected to fall on the classic David-versus-Goliath encounters, where lower-tier sides will be eager to claim the scalps of some of the country’s biggest clubs.
Armed with practical examples from history, no team can afford complacency.
Dynamos face a potentially tricky assignment against former Premiership side Hwange at the Colliery.
The Colliery is also the venue of Highlanders’ cagey assignment against Black Rock tomorrow, while on the same day CAPS United travel to Baobab for a date with Scottland Academy.
CAPS United still carry the painful memories of one of the biggest upsets in Zimbabwean knockout football after their shock elimination by social league side Highdon Raylton in the 2002 ZIFA Unity Cup.
Assistant coach Ian Bakala said the Green Machine would not underestimate Scottland Academy.
“We are not looking at the team itself. I think, even for them to reach where they are, means they are a good side,” said Bakala.
“I think for us, we have prepared the way we have been preparing even for the other games. We just take a game, each game which comes. And I think the motivation is just the same.
“Of course, the feeling of complacency always creeps in when playing lower ranked teams, but looking at us at the moment, we haven’t been doing well so far until the last game we played.
“I think even the players know what is at stake. We are not approaching this game lightly because we are playing with an academy side.
“It’s a cup game; it’s a big game and a new cup. We also want to be the first team to win it, and we are working on that.”
Bakala urged the Makepekepe fans to travel to Baobab and support the team.
“Firstly, I think we’d like to thank supporters that have been behind us from the beginning. Despite experiencing a brief slump, they have been there.
“We thank them and we hope they continue the way they have been doing, which is good for the team. They have never let us down.
“It’s a morale-booster for us; they are the 12th player for us, which is good. I think we’ll give them what they want this coming Sunday,” said Bakala.
Makepekepe have also welcomed former captain Phineas Bamusi into the technical team after officially announcing his retirement last week.
City neighbours Dynamos face a tricky away assignment against Hwange, who are riding high in the ZIFA Southern Region where they have emerged as favourites to gain promotion back into the topflight.
DeMbare technical advisor Aristica Cioaba revealed that his technical team had done extensive homework on the hosts, who have always been tricky customers during their Premiership days.
“Yes, I know the history about it,” said Cioaba.
“I got the information very well about the opponent and how they play. I know they occupy first position in the first division.
“Our staff has been collecting more information about the team. It’s not going to be an easy game. This team is coming from Division One but they are strong. So, we would like to go there and play well.
“We have the good plan for the game. The players need to understand it’s a very hard game and no need for any mistakes. We have to respect our name, Dynamos, respect our position in the league and go and fight for qualification to the next round,” said Cioaba.
Another exciting tie is expected when Premiership championship title contenders Hardrock engage Central Region Soccer League side Kwekwe United in a Midlands derby.
Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu yesterday said they have invested enough time and commitment into the preparations.
“We anticipate a good crowd. It’s a derby and derbies usually are not easy fixtures, no matter the opponent. We hope we will get our tactics right against Kwekwe United.
“Remember this trophy carries the ticket to play CAF Confederation Cup football. So, it’s not an ordinary match. We will try to be efficient,” said Kaindu.
Hardrock, however, may take to the game without one of their injured forwards Prince Dube, whose fitness level, was still being monitored yesterday.
ZIFA Executive Committee member responsible for competitions, Thomas Marambanyika, said the stage was set for exciting match-ups, which brings together the national football pyramid.
“The Munhumutapa Challenge Cup brings together the different levels of our football and gives clubs from across Zimbabwe an opportunity to compete on a meaningful national platform,” said Marambanyika.
“The Round of 32 is where the competition takes another exciting step, and we are looking forward to competitive matches, strong crowds and memorable moments across the country,” said Marambanyika.
Fixtures:
Today: Hwange v Dynamos (Colliery), Bulawayo Chiefs v Agama (Luveve), Gwanda Pirates v Jordan (Phelandaba), Kwekwe United v Hardrock (Chahwanda Stadium), MWOS v Herentals (Ngoni)
Tomorrow: Blackrock v Highlanders (Colliery), ZPC Kariba v Triangle (Nyamhunga), Simba Bhora v Manica Diamonds (Wadzanai), Norton Big Boys v FC Hunters (Ngoni), TelOne v Blanket Mine (Ascot), Chicken Inn v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Luveve), Marere FC v FC Platinum (Chahwanda), Scottland Academy v CAPS United (Baobab Stadium)
Monday: Aqua Stars v Chili FC (Luveve), FC Oden v Scottland (Baobab), MWOS U’19 v Chatidhege (Ngoni)
