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Eddie Chikamhi Harare Bureau
HIGHLANDERS FC will be looking to redeem lost pride after being drawn to face How Mine in the Chibuku Super Cup this weekend.
Speaking after the draw held at Warren Park Beerhall in Harare yesterday, Highlanders vice-chairman Mgcini Mpofu welcomed the draw and said they are looking to show the difference in class between them and How Mine, who are only in their second season in the topflight league.
Bosso however have a bad record against the gold miners who have often made life difficult for them in both league and cup games. Mpofu said they are aware of the threat posed by How Mine who eliminated them from the quarter-finals of the NetOne One Wallet Cup through a penalty shootout at Ascot.
“That’s the only time we have to redeem ourselves because last Saturday was an embarrassing defeat to Dynamos. That’s a better platform for the coaches to prove themselves.
“Derbies are always difficult and we need to correct our past mistakes. I think this is the right time to do that. It’s always wrong to dwell too much on history. It was the only time they knocked us out of a cup tournament.
“Last year they beat us twice in the league games but when it came to the (Mbada Diamonds) Cup final we beat them convincingly. This year they managed to knock us out through penalty kicks but this time around we will just show them who the boss in Bulawayo is,” said Mpofu.
Caps United coach Taurayi Mangwiro yesterday laughed at the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final draw which pits them in another duel with FC Platinum hardly seven days after falling to their heaviest defeat at the hands of the ambitious Zvishavane side.
The Green Machine are still smarting from a 6-0 drubbing at FC Platinum in the final of the ZNA Charities at Mandava last Saturday which they finished with eight men on the pitch, capping a troubled week marred by player unrest.
For most of the Makepekepe faithful, FC Platinum was the last team they had wanted to meet so soon to allow the wounds to heal.
The other pairing will see Black Rhinos clash with Triangle while struggling newboys Chiredzi United date Masimba Dinyero’s rejuvenated Harare City. Dates and venues for the matches were still being worked out by the organisers to allow for wider coverage on Supersport.
However, Mangwiro hinted yesterday that FC Platinum should not expect a walk in the park. The Caps United coach said Makepekepe would take the fixture as an opportunity to redeem themselves from the humiliation they suffered at the hands of their opponents.
“If anything, we welcome the draw especially at a time when we are coming from a heavy defeat at the hands of the same opponents. It’s good to have another chance to redeem ourselves. They should also have a taste of our medicine.
“That was a big setback and we are still recovering from that. We gave the players rest and we resumed training today (yesterday). Hopefully by the end of the week it will be totally behind us.
“I am sure we have drawn our lessons from that defeat. We have been telling the boys to forget about the chapter and we are looking forward to some positive responses.
“Our supporters as well shouldn’t lose hope because of this. I have since apologised for that loss and we need to move forward together. We have to look ahead with confidence,” said Mangwiro.
“It was always going to be difficult in the last game with three men less against a team like FC Platinum who play passing football. We were obviously exposed.
“Nonetheless this is a new game altogether and we cannot compare it with what is now behind. At the same time I wouldn’t want to sound like I am defending my players or criticizing anyone but I don’t think we are that aggressive to deserve all those red cards. Three red cards were too much but we also need to be mentally tuned for games of such high temperament.”
Makepekepe resumed their preparations yesterday after giving the players two days’ rest.
However, their three players, midfielder Tawanda Samanja, Madalitso Mwanza and George Nyirenda failed to train because of illness while Dominic Chungwa and Moses Muchenje had knocks.
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was in relaxed mood yesterday after getting the news about the draw. The former Warriors mentor said he will not look much into the ZNA Charities final, which the Green Machine finished with eight men after referee Rugare Kusosa expelled Hardlife Zvirekwi, George Nyirenda and David Chipala. Mapeza said he was looking forward to a new challenge from the Harare giants.
“We take all our games seriously and we understand that in football if you don’t prepare well you are most likely to face difficulties on the match day.
“What happened at the weekend is now behind us. We are now looking ahead to the next game. We respect Caps United, they are a big team with quality players. In fact we were prepared to face any team that made it to the quarter-finals,” said Mapeza.
Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final draw:
How Mine v Highlanders, Black Rhinos v Triangle, Chiredzi v Harare City, FC Platinum v Caps United
Online Reporter