adminThe two Zimbabwean giants, who finished first and second in the Premiership last year, will feature in the Uhuru Cup finals while Monomotapa, who finished on third position, and Chicken Inn will square off in Bulawayo in a third and fourth place match.
Due to time and constraints, the matches are no longer going to start at the semi finals stage and the Sports Commission have facilitated that Zifa gets some funding from the Government for the Uhuru Cup and funds will be availed for the tournament.
Zifa had wanted to rope in Bafana Bafana in an international friendly on the Independence Day but South Africa later indicated that they were not able to fulfill the fixture as they were facing some challenges.
Sports Commission corporate communications executive, Tirivashe Nheweyembwa, confirmed that the Independence Cup programme was well on course.
“As the SRC, we have already facilitated for Zifa to get some support from the Government and we can confirm that there is going to be some financial support from Government.
“We have been informed that the first two teams from last year’s log standings will play the finals in Harare while those who came third and fourth in last year’s league championship will play in Bulawayo,” said Nheweyembwa.
This year’s scenario will see a repeat of the 2011 Uhuru Cup final when Dynamos and Highlanders met again at the National Sports Stadium and the Bulawayo giants won the trophy 4-3 on penalties before a capacity crowd. Former Dynamos defender Guthrie Zhokinyi was the fall guy as he missed twice from the spot, once during the regulation time when the Glamour Boys were awarded a penalty, and again in the penalty shootout.
The match would also see the two teams lock horns for the third time this season after they featured during the off season in the Bob 89 Super Cup and the league champions Dynamos beat Highlanders 6 -1 on aggregate.
Online Reporter