Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE last round of the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup delivered a harsh reminder that reputations count for little in knock-out football, and Premiership heavyweights say they are taking no chances when the competition returns today with an exciting round of 16 pairings.
Premiership champions Scottland, FC Platinum and Hardrock are among the clubs keen to avoid becoming the latest high-profile casualties as they seek progression to the quarter-finals.
Zimbabwe legends Peter Ndlovu and Norman Mapeza said there is no room for slackness, while FC Platinum’s new South African coach Thabo Senong coach is also aware of the dangers and potential pitfalls.
Scottland clash with minnows MWOS Under-19, whose senior side are their bitter rivals. FC Platinum encounter another division one side, Blackrock, who produced one of the biggest upsets when they eliminated Highlanders.
Hardrock, who are chasing silverware on multiple fronts, take on ZIFA Southern Region Division One side Jordan at Luveve Stadium tomorrow.
With eight of the 18 top-flight teams falling at the first hurdle, the prospect of more surprises cannot be ruled out this weekend as Bulawayo Chiefs face Chilli Boys at Barbourfields while struggling Premiership side Triangle host in-form ZIFA Central Region log leaders Blanket Mine.
FC Platinum coach Senong is under no illusions about the challenge awaiting his side against Blackrock. The second-tier outfit announced themselves as serious contenders by eliminating Highlanders in one of the biggest shocks of the opening round.
Senong believes cup football often levels the playing field.
He watched the first round from the terraces, while awaiting his work permit, as the platinum miners laboured to a 1-0 win over second-tier side Marere.
“Cup games take a different psychological direction because the motivation comes from players, and a Division One team has nothing to lose,” said Senong.
“For them, their motivation is, “can we disturb the giants?’ because already you can see what happened when you look at the fixtures of the Division One teams against the big clubs in the league, the likes of Highlanders and Blackrock, and also what happened to Dynamos.
“So, we have to take lessons from there and try to go into that game with a humble approach because if we are not humble enough in our approach, Blackrock can also just cause problems for us.
“But if we respect them and also, if we take advantage of their weaknesses and manage their strengths, I think it should be a good game for FC Platinum.”
The Zvishavane side have endured a difficult campaign and remain locked in a battle for a top-half finish in the league.
Senong marked his official debut with a 1-0 league victory over Agama last weekend, to end a long win-less spell at home that had stretched back to May.
Having already exited the Chibuku Super Cup, the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup represents their most realistic path to silverware and continental football.
With a US$1 million winners’ prize and a CAF Confederation Cup berth at stake, the competition has become an increasingly prized target for all clubs across the domestic football pyramid.
But a similar sense of caution exists at Scottland, where team manager Ndlovu and coach Mapeza have stressed the need for maximum concentration against MWOS Under-19.
The Premiership leaders were pushed hard by FC Oden in the first round before their experience eventually carried them to a 3-0 victory.
Scottland, who are involved in a four-pronged assault, will need to manage the load on their players wisely, and Ndlovu hinted to a reshuffle of the starting line-up.
The Mabvuku side are favourites to defend their league title and are also still very much alive in both the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup and Chibuku Super Cup knock-out tournaments.
They are also set to begin their CAF Champions League campaign next week, placing further demands on an already stretched squad.
Ndlovu hinted that squad rotation could be necessary but insisted whoever gets the nod must be ready to deliver.
“We take this game seriously, like we are playing one of the big guns, because you don’t want to approach with complacency and all that stuff,” said Ndlovu.
“But whatever team we field against MWOS Under-19, the team just has to do the job. Whoever is going to play just have to do the job,” said Ndlovu.
Scotland coach Mapeza also stressed the importance they are placing on the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup and all the competitions they are involved in, insisting there are no easy matches in modern football.
“Of course, we know how much focus is on the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup,” said Mapeza.
“We are playing MWOS Under-19, and like I always say, there are no easy games in this world of football.
“What is important is for us to go there with much respect for MWOS Under-19, and just take that game as if we are playing against either Dynamos, Highlanders or CAPS United, or any other team. I think that would be very, very important.”
Mapeza said the Scottland fans are their biggest motivation.
“We have to do that for our fans. They’ve been very supportive. They’ve been behind us up to this far.
“I know they want to be happy.
“So, when we go out there, we try by all means to play and win games so that they’re happy. But it’s not every game that we might get some desired results. In a game of football, everybody knows that there’s a day you lose games.
“Then there are games where you play well, but again, you don’t win games. So, as of now, our fans have been massive to us. They’ve been giving us maximum support. As I said, we always go out there to make them happy,” said Mapeza.
Munhumutapa RO16 Fixtures:
Today: FC Hunters v Hwange (Wadzanai), FC Platinum v Blackrock (Mandava), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Herentals (Baobab), Chilli FC v Bulawayo Chiefs (Ascot), Scottland v MWOS U’19 (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: Triangle v Blanket Mine (Gibbo), Jordan v Hardrock (Luveve), CAPS United v Manica Diamonds (Rufaro)
