Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS chairman Kenneth Mhlophe has thrown down the gauntlet, urging his team to treat this afternoon’s Chibuku Super Cup clash with Herentals as a turning point in what has been one of the club’s most difficult league campaigns in recent memory.
With the Bulawayo giants struggling for consistency, battling a precarious league position, and facing mounting frustration from their fans, Mhlophe believes the knockout competition is a rare chance to restore pride and remind everyone of the club’s stature.
“The Chibuku Super Cup is our chance to bring smiles back to our multitudes. We know it’s been a difficult league campaign for our fans and everyone associated with the club. But the Chibuku Super Cup presents a fresh opportunity, a chance to fight for silverware and restore pride.
“We are going all out to make sure we bring smiles back to our multitudes of loyal supporters. The players understand what’s at stake, and they’re determined to give it everything. This is not just about redemption, it’s about reminding everyone who Highlanders are.”
Mhlophe’s words carry extra weight as Bosso return to the tournament that last brought them silverware in 2019. Then, under returning coach Pieter de Jongh, they edged Ngezi Platinum 1-0 in the final to briefly lift the gloom around the club.
Six years later, De Jongh is back, but under far tougher circumstances. While the Dutchman insists Premier League survival remains his main focus, he concedes the Chibuku Cup could offer both a morale boost and a distraction from the grind of the relegation fight.
Highlanders meet Herentals in Kariba this afternoon, with kickoff at 3PM. Injuries have complicated preparations, with De Jongh admitting “three or four” players are doubtful.
The first round of the Chibuku Cup has already served up plenty of drama. Defending champions Dynamos survived a scare, edging Simba Bhora 5-4 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw. Ghanaian striker Felix Kwaku Hammond kept the Glamour Boys alive with a late equaliser after Boid Mutukure’s opener.
Elsewhere, debutants MWOS pulled off the upset of the round with a 2-0 victory over CAPS United at Ngoni Stadium, thanks to second-half goals from Nigel Mutinha and Arthur Banda. At Mandava, Manica Diamonds knocked out FC Platinum after a goalless draw and penalties.
Bikita Minerals also squeezed through, beating TelOne 5-4 on spot kicks after a 1-1 draw. Scottland booked their quarter-final place with a 1-0 win over GreenFuel, Moses Shidolo scoring in the 15th minute at Sakubva. Triangle United completed the line-up with a nerve shredding 6-5 penalty shootout win over Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab.
