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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
THE Chibuku Super Cup kicks off today with the four bottom-placed teams aiming for redemption after going through a difficult time in the first half of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
The struggling quartet at the halfway stage of the marathon are set to take to the field in the preliminary round play-offs double header set for Baobab today.
Army side Cranborne Bullets will get the ball running when they clash with Yadah in a midday kick-off before Sheasham and another army side Black Rhinos clash later in the day.
Bullets coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera, whose team is sitting second from the bottom of the pile in the 18-team log standings, is looking forward to the country’s premier cup competition to boost his side’s confidence.
“We suffered loss of form after the break but I think we have picked up now. We have been travelling a lot and now the boys are getting in the groove.
“The boys played well in the last game which we won against Black Rhinos and I hope they will pick it up from there. They look motivated and are ready to push for recognition in the Chibuku Super Cup,” said Saruchera.
The army side reached the semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup in their debut season in 2021 but could not go past the preliminary round in the last edition after falling to Whawha in a penalty shoot-out.
Bullets are playing in the preliminary round play-off for the second time, having been part of the mix again last year.
“The first time we played in this tournament we reached the semi-finals. Last year was a bit unfortunate but it is our wish to surpass our previous best,” said Saruchera.
Their opponents Yadah have recently hit a bad patch, losing six of their last seven games.
They conceded 10 goals in their last three games which they lost to Chicken Inn (3-1), Dynamos (5-1) and GreenFuel (2-0).
The Miracle Boys are desperate for a turnaround and their coach Expense Chitukutuku yesterday said they have now turned focus to the knock-out tournament.
“We are looking forward to a good game,” he said.
“But remember this is a knock-out tournament. It’s either we score goals and win; otherwise we fail to progress.
“Of course we are going through a bad patch as a team and we are looking forward to breaking this cycle. From the way I see it, the boys are ready for the tournament.
“Since our return from Baobab for the last game the boys have been in high spirits. They all know the importance of winning Chibuku Super Cup.
“This is a tournament that carries the ticket that can expose you to continental football and a chance to market themselves in the region.
“Cranborne Bullets play a similar brand of football as ours. We are two teams that play a passing game, so it’s going to be a big test,” said Chitukutuku.
Premiership new boys Sheasham are also keen on the tournament following their recent revival under new coach Lizwe Sweswe.
Unbeaten in their last five games, Sheasham go into the Chibuku Super Cup against basement side Black Rhinos with their heads high following wins over reigning league champions FC Platinum and Chicken Inn in their last two outings.
“In every competition, we always play to win,” said Sweswe.
“So it is with this Chibuku Super Cup. The approach is just the same. We want to win.”
Chibuku Super Cup Fixtures:
Preliminary round:
Today: Yadah v Cranborne Bullets (Baobab, 12pm), Sheasham v Black Rhinos (Baobab, 3pm)
First Round:
Saturday: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Triangle (Baobab), Manica Diamonds v Sheasham/Rhinos (Gibbo), Chicken Inn v GreenFuel (Luveve), FC Platinum v Yadah/Cranborne Bullets (Mandava), Dynamos v Simba Bhora (Barbourfields)
Sunday: Highlanders v Bulawayo Chiefs (Barbourfields), CAPS Utd v Hwange (Bata), Herentals v ZPC Kariba (Mandava)
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