IT’S AN AXIS CLASSIC

Bruce Chikuni

GOLDEN Eagles and Simba Bhora are preparing for yet another blockbuster showdown in their third meeting this season.

The two sides are set to face off in the Axis Solutions Super8 Cup final at Rufaro on Saturday.

Simba Bhora are chasing a League and Cup double after securing the championship last month.

Gondo Harishaye finished third, having been one of the favourites, in the early stages of the season.

The two sides met twice in the ZIFA Northern Region Division One League.

The Shamva side won 3-1 at home before settling for a 1-1 stalemate in the reverse fixture at Ellis Robins.

Dean Chunga was the hero for the Arthur “Tuts” Tutani side after striking late to salvage a share of spoils.

Reports suggest this could be coach Gilbert Mushangazhike’s last game in charge of Golden Eagles.

Mushangazhike started brightly, following his appointment, after the departure of Joel Luphahla.

But, he has been under the microscope after finishing the season 12 points off the mark.

The team were two points adrift of the top spot when he joined the club.

If there is hope for Mushangazhike and his men, then it should come from Simba Bhora’s poor form in Harare.

In six attempts, the Shamva side managed just one win in the capital.

But, crucially, they found a way to force a share of the spoils, against Golden Eagles, in what was probably the most decisive match of the season.

Had the Eagles hung on for that victory, by preventing Simba from scoring in the very last minute, they would have taken pole position.

No one knows what this would have done for the remainder of the championship race.

The Axis Solutions Super8 Cup final is going to be graced by renowned artists like Suluman Chimbetu, Baba Harare, DJ Fantan, Levels, Ras Caleb, DJ Ribhe, Hwinza and Ndunge Yut.