Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FC HUNTERS coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera believes his youthful outfit have the pedigree to end Dynamos’ stranglehold on the Chibuku Super Cup when the two sides meet in a potentially explosive quarter-final at Rufaro on Sunday.
The Glamour Boys have made the Chibuku Super Cup their preserve, winning the trophy a record three successive seasons and forcing the sponsors to look for a new piece of silverware.
Until the launch of the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup earlier this year, the Chibuku Super Cup was the country’s premier knock-out competition.
While DeMbare were, along with Highlanders, the biggest Munhumutapa Challenge Cup first-round casualties, the Harare giants have, in contrast, seemingly reserved their best for the Chibuku Super Cup.
Dynamos are unbeaten in 14 consecutive Chibuku Super Cup matches and signalled their intentions for a strong pursuit of a fourth straight crown by dispatching TelOne 4-1 in the first round last month.
Standing between Dynamos technical director Aristica Cioaba’s ambitions for a trophy in his maiden dance with Zimbabwean football is a quarter-final hurdle that Saruchera and his Hunters present.
Should they prevail over Hunters, Dynamos would also have to work their way past the semi-final and the opponents in the final.
But for now the focus is on Sunday’s game against Hunters, who are in their first year in the Premiership but have shown character when pitted against the elite league’s traditional giants.
Saruchera’s men eliminated Herentals 1-0 in the first round through Michael Tapera’s second-half strike.
The veteran coach believes they have since become a more balanced outfit.
“We have a good team now, and with the resources available, we believe we are well prepared to give our best in this match.
“We have worked hard to build a balanced side, and there is competition in different areas of the team. That gives us confidence going into a big cup game like this,” Saruchera said.
A former Black Rhinos player and coach Saruchera is aware of the magnitude of the task facing his charges, especially against Dynamos who have built their recent success on navigating knock-out football, including tight encounters where there is little margin for error. However, the Hunters coach does not want his players intimidated by DeMbare’s history in the competition.
“Dynamos have dominated this competition in recent years, but they achieved that before we were here. We are here now and that presents a new challenge.
“We respect what Dynamos have achieved, but we are not going into the match thinking about their history.
“Our focus is on what we can do on the day. This is a knock-out competition, and we have to approach the game with belief and determination.
“We are positive that if we execute our game plan and give our best, we can get the result we want.”
Hunters’ emergence has added another dimension to the domestic game, with Saruchera assembling a squad that blends youth and experience.
“We know we are coming up against a club with experience in this competition.
“But we believe in the quality we have within our squad,” said Saruchera.
“The team is more balanced now, and that gives us different options.
“For us, this is an opportunity to show how far we have come as a team. We want to compete, make our presence felt and try to progress to the next round.”
Meanwhile, CAPS United face ZPC Kariba at Rufaro on Saturday after the Green Machine edged Simba Bhora 3-2 in the previous round. Kariba eliminated Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0.
Highlanders host MWOS at Barbourfields on Sunday, with Bosso securing their passage via a penalty shoot-out win over Chicken Inn, following a goalless first-round draw.
Another potentially explosive tie pits Scottland against Hardrock, but that quarter-final has been shelved for this weekend as Mabviravira are away to Eswatini on CAF Champions League duties.
The game will be played next Wednesday.
