Online Reporter
Bosso, DeMbare invade coal town as Zifa shakes up Munhumutapa Cup fixtures
Fungai Muderere
THE Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has reshuffled several Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 32 fixtures, with key changes affecting Pacific Breeze Southern Region Soccer League clubs ahead of this weekend’s knockout action.
The biggest adjustment sees Dynamos’ eagerly anticipated clash against Hwange brought forward to Saturday at Hwange Colliery Stadium, with kick-off set for 3pm. The Harare giants will largely bank on captain Shadreck Nyawa to inspire an impressive result as they seek to avoid an early exit from the competition.
Highlanders will now take on giant killers Blackrock at the same venue a day later on Sunday at 3pm, in another blockbuster tie expected to attract a huge crowd.
Bosso will largely depend on man-of-the-moment Mongameli Tshuma, whose outstanding form has made him one of the team’s biggest weapons. They will also look to the experience and leadership of captain Darlington Munkuli, Rainsome Pavari and Andrew Mbeba, while the creativity of Kudakwashe Mahachi and the safe hands of goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya will be crucial as the Bulawayo giants chase a place in the last 16.
The revised programme means Hwange Colliery Stadium will host two of the competition’s headline fixtures over the weekend as Premier Soccer League giants Dynamos and Highlanders begin their quest for Munhumutapa Cup glory.
Elsewhere, Jordan’s clash against Gwanda Pirates has also been rescheduled and will now be played on Saturday at Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda, with kick-off at 3pm.
Bulawayo outfit Aqua Stars have also seen their fixture altered. They will now host Chilli FC at Luveve Stadium on Monday, with the encounter also kicking off at 3pm.
The changes were confirmed by the Pacific Breeze Southern Region Soccer League, which urged all participating clubs, officials and supporters to take note of the amended fixtures.
With the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup being played on a straight knockout basis, there is no room for error as teams battle for a place in the next round.
The revised fixtures are expected to ease logistical challenges while ensuring smooth staging of the national competition, which has attracted clubs from across the country’s regional leagues and the Premier Soccer League.
Football fans can now look forward to an action-packed weekend, with Hwange set to become the centre of attention as two of Zimbabwe’s biggest clubs, Dynamos and Highlanders, begin their cup campaigns under the revised schedule.
Fixtures
Friday, August 7
Aqua Stars vs Chili FC – Luveve Stadium (3pm)
Saturday, August 8
Hwange vs Dynamos –(Colliery Stadium 3pm) , FC Oden vs Scottland FC – Baobab Stadium (3pm), Bulawayo Chiefs vs Agama FC (Luveve Stadium (3pm), Marere FC vs FC Platinum –
Chahwanda Stadium (3pm), MWOS U19 vs Chatidhege FC – MWOS Ngoni Stadium (11am), Gwanda Pirates vs Jordan FC – Phelandaba Stadium (3pm), MWOS FC vs Herentals – MWOS Ngoni Stadium (3pm)
Sunday, August 9
Blackrock vs Highlanders – Colliery Stadium (3pm), ZPC Kariba vs Triangle FC – Nyamhunga Stadium (3pm), Simba Bhora vs Manica Diamonds – Wadzanai Stadium (3pm),Norton Big Boys vs
FC Hunters – MWOS Ngoni Stadium (3pm), TelOne FC vs Blanket Mine FC – Ascot Stadium (3pm), Chicken Inn FC vs Ngezi Platinum FC – Luveve Stadium (3pm)
— @FungaiMuderere
