adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
NORMAN Mapeza, who led FC Platinum to clinch the Chibuku Super Cup when it returned last season, says some big teams could be surprised in the first round of this year’s edition this weekend.
The former Warriors coach believes competition is high in the league this year and refuses to underrate newboys Dongo Sawmill in their opening match at Mandava on Saturday.
The platinum miners beat Harare City in the final last year and grab the $75 000 first prize.
They were the top seeds when the draw was conducted last Friday and, although getting the newboys for first round opponents looks a good pairing, Mapeza was still cautious.
“This is a massive Cup by the look of things. It involves all the 16 teams and everyone will be out there to prove something.
“Again, if you can look at the amounts of money involved, you can see that the prizes themselves are a big motivation.
“The incentives are there for everyone and considering the competition in the league this year, you can only expect surprises.
“I tell you some big teams could be shocked in the first round,” said Mapeza.
The sponsors have maintained the prizes at $75 000 for the winners and $50 000 for the runners-up.
The teams that reach the last four will pocket $25 000 each while those that perish in the quarter-finals get $20 000.
Those that lose in the first round this weekend will receive $15 000 each.
FC Platinum have been enjoying good form of late and have revived their bid in the league championship after rising to fifth place following a disappointing start this year.
“I admit we had a bad start this year. We noted our problems and I believe we have been working on addressing them but there is still no room for complacency.
“In football you cannot always bank on form, sometimes it is not that straight forward. So you cannot count much on form.
“We might have done well in our recent games but we don’t have to take Dongo lightly. They are here to compete and we have to respect them. Remember they have also been doing well of late,” said Mapeza.
Last year’s runners-up Harare City are expected to set the tone when they host Buffaloes in the first match at Rufaro on Friday.
The Sunshine Boys coach Taurai Mangwiro is looking forward to the match.
“I think it was a fair draw for us and as form means nothing in Cup games. There are no easy games in knock-out competitions.
“I was really not looking at any team and at this stage of the season, it is more important to worry about the strength of your team than to worry about opposition.
“As a team we are ready for them and we will play them again in three weeks as they are due for a return at Rufaro in the league.
“The competition gives us an opportunity to play some of our players who have been doing very well at training, so I am happy to draw a team like Buffaloes.
Giants Dynamos, who often struggle against small teams, will have another test against former son Lloyd Mutasa who will be back at Rufaro on Saturday to prove that their league win was not a fluke.
Whawha will be buoyed by the memories of the 1-0 win over their fancied opponents back in May when Roy Useni struck the solitary goal at Ascot.
DeMbare are looking to rise following the defeat to Highlanders in the final of the ZNA Charities last Sunday.
The Glamour Boys asked to play on Saturday since there was a possibility they could be slotted to play in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces match next week.
Organisers said the match between CAPS United and ZPC Kariba, which had initially been pencilled in for the National Sports Stadium, has been moved to Rufaro on Sunday.
Chibuku Super Cup First Round
Friday: Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro)
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Hwange (Luveve), FC Platinum v Dongo Sawmill (Mandava), Chapungu v Flame Lily (Ascot), Dynamos v Whawha (Rufaro)
Sunday: Triangle v Tsholotsho (Gibbo), How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields), CAPS United v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro).
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