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Sports Reporter
SOCCER enthusiasts in topflight-action starved Gweru and Masvingo are in for a treat this weekend when Premiership teams clash in the rich Mbada Diamonds Cup quarter-finals.
Gweru’s Ascot will play host to the potentially explosive Caps United-Chicken Inn match this afternoon with Bulawayo giants Highlanders and Buffaloes meeting for the second time in as many weeks at a neutral venue at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo tomorrow.
The sponsors of the Mbada Diamonds Cup and the Premiership have presented soccer fans a great opportunity by making all the tournament’s games accessible at only $1 charge for the rest of the ground.
Fans who will fail to travel to Ascot Stadium and Mucheke will be able to catch all the action live in the comfort of their homes via Supersport.
The sponsors have encouraged supporters to come early for the games.
“Everything is set for the second round matches. We have beefed up security and we call for fans to come in their numbers and rally behind their teams. They must come early to avoid disappointment as once stadiums are full, gates will be closed,” said Mbada Diamonds Cup chairman for the organising committee Tafadzwa Chiremba.
The other matches will see Hwange lock horns with Harare City at Dulibadzimu in Beitbridge this afternoon while Dynamos take on How Mine at their fortress Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
Teams knocked out after the weekend games will each receive $30 000.
Chicken Inn coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu is expecting a tough game against Caps United and has challenged his players to do away with complacency.
“We beat Shabanie Mine 3-0 in the first round and that is history. We have been training hard for the game and everyone is raring to go. Caps United are a good side and we respect them but on the field of play we won’t respect them.
“What we have to do is to stick to our game plan and make sure that we play as a team and defend as a unit,” Mpofu said.
The Gamecocks are seeking their second trophy of the season having won the season’s opener, the NetOne Charity Shield.
Caps United on the other hand are looking at redeeming their lost pride and a victory against Chicken Inn will instill a sense of belief at the Green Machine.
Last week they lost 1-3 to Shabanie Mine and their coach Taurai Mangwiro immediately announced that he was quitting the club only to make a u-turn two days later.
Caps United’s chief executive officer Joe Makuvire said they are ready for the game.
“What happened at the beginning of the week was just a misunderstanding but as the Caps United family we are raring to go,” Makuvire said. The Green Machine will not be pushovers as they have a formidable team with experienced players.
Some of the players expected to lead Caps United include goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Rahman Kutsanzira, captain Tapiwa Khumbuyani, striker Dominic Chungwa and Ronald Pfumidzayi.
They also have Arnold Chiveya and Tawanda Nyamandwe who are capable of causing problems for the Gamecocks.
Chicken Inn will pin their hopes on Canaan Nkomo, Kudakwashe Mahachi and veteran Clemence Matawu who scored against Shabanie Mine in the first round.
The Bulawayo side also have the league’s leading goal scorer Tendai “Fire” Ndoro who is on loan from Mpumalanga Black Aces, national team defender Felix Chindungwe, defensive midfielder Danny “Deco” Phiri, Moses Jackson and Tonisani Sibelo among those that can lead them to victory.
In Beitbridge, Hwange coach Nation Dube has ruled out penalty kicks in their clash with Harare City.
“We are going to give our best to make sure that we win the game during the regulated 90 minutes. If it happens that the game goes to penalties then that will be it but I don’t see that happening,” said Dube.
Players expected to lead Hwange include captain Ndlovu, veteran striker Gilbert Zulu, dribbling wizard Farai Vimisayi, Nkosana Siwela and David Boriwondo.
Harare City are also bullish with their coach Bigboy Mawiwi saying he expects a tough encounter.
“Cup games are always difficult but we have prepared in the manner which we believe will take us to the next round,” said Mawiwi.
Maxwell Nyamupangedengu, Silas Singani, James Jam, William Manondo, Martin Vengesayi, Tendai Ngulube and Osbourne Mukuradare are some of Harare City’s best players.
Highlanders’ coach Kelvin Kaindu said morale was high in his camp with Innocent Mapuranga and Peter “Rio” Moyo who missed the last game against Buffaloes in Mutare available. “Everyone has been training and even the players that had knocks like Fazo (Dumisani Ndlovu) and Rio (Moyo) have been working hard during the week. The players are really looking forward to the game and I hope that we will take the same attitude that we displayed when we beat Triangle in the first round to Masvingo. I know the pitch at Mucheke is not good at all and affects our passing game but I think we have an advantage over Buffaloes in that this is our second time to play there. We have the players that can adapt to the style of play that we are going to use at Mucheke.”
Moyo was in terrific form when they beat Triangle 3-2 in a highly charged first round match.
Midfield general Mthulisi Maphosa, evergreen Bruce Kangwa, speed merchant Gabriel Nyoni, Mapuranga and Milton Ncube are some of the players expected to lead Bosso against Buffaloes.
The Mutare club will not hand Bosso victory on a silver platter and have threatened to charge at Bosso. “We have been working hard and I believe we are in the right track to achieve our set target which is winning the championship. The players have responded well to our style of play after last Sunday’s draw. We want nothing other than a win. Actually we are bringing war that side and it is our hope that Highlanders know where they will hide,” said Buffaloes coach Timothy Masachi.
How Mine travel to Harare for a date with Dynamos.
Fixtures
Today: Caps United v Chicken Inn (Ascot, 1500hrsSS9), Harare City v Hwange (Dulibadzimu)
Tomorrow: Dynamos v How Mine (Rufaro), Highlanders v Buffaloes (Mucheke, 1500hrsSS9)
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