HOLDERS DEMBARE TO CHIBUKU DEFENCE LATER

Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

HOLDERS Dynamos will start the defence of their title a bit later as they will be representing the country in the CAF Confederation Cup when the knock-out tournament’s first round kicks off in a fortnight.

The Glamour Boys clinched the country’s biggest cup competition after beating Ngezi Platinum Stars 2-0 at Baobab last year to earn a ticket to play in Africa’s second tier club competition.

Coincidentally, they will be on that very ticket in the preliminary eliminator against Zambia giants ZESCO United at the National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana on the same weekend that the Chibuku Super Cup’s Round-of-16 will be rolling.

Their challengers in last year’s final, Ngezi Platinum, who won the league title will also be in the same boat as they will be entertaining Maniema of the DR Congo at Zambia’s National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on the same weekend.

DeMbare were yesterday drawn against ZPC Kariba while the Mhondoro side will face 2022 winners Bulawayo Chiefs in the opening round.

Dynamos secretary general Webster Marechera said his team will be out to defend the cup.

“We have always been planning with all this in mind. We knew we were going to be competing on three fronts – the CAF Confederation Cup and the Chibuku Super Cup.

“So, whoever we were to be drawn against, we would be prepared. ZPC Kariba are never pushovers as they have a lot of impressive players but you know, we are the champions and we will never let it slip out of our own hands easily.”

Chibuku Super Cup Fixtures

Preliminary Round

Chegutu Pirates v Hwange

TelOne v Manica Diamonds

First Round

FC Platinum v Telone/Arenel Movers

Manica Diamonds v Chegutu Pirates/Hwange

Ngezi Platinum v Bulawayo Chiefs

Simba Bhora v Herentals

Highlanders v Greenfuel

Dynamos v ZPC Kariba

Bikita Minerals v CAPS United