Return of Football Association Cup will revive spark

THE Zimbabwe Football Association Cup has carried many names in the past, and in seasons when it was played, it exposed unheralded talent from the lower leagues.

Qualifiers for the final round of 64 before elite league teams were thrown into the hat, too, started off at Area Zone level right up to Division One. The knockout matches started as early as June until the later stages, in which the Premiership clubs were brought on board.

New ground was broken on Wednesday when the Munhumutapa Cup was launched. Excitement was all over the atmosphere at the launch in the capital, Harare, in an event graced by President Mnangagwa, acting Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Recreation Tino Machakaire and other dignitaries.

The launch was hailed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino in a televised message said: “The launch of the Zifa Munhumutapa Challenge Cup is a momentous occasion for our beloved sport and I congratulate you all for bringing this tremendous, fabulous project to life.”

For years, Zimbabwe has not had an FA Cup that involves all the teams and divisions.
Previously, winners of the Castle Cup, Natbrew Zifa Cup, Zifa Cup and Unity Cup represented Zimbabwe in Confederation of African Football (Caf) tournaments.

Historically, the tournament brought curtains down on the calendar with exciting finales featuring some of the best players in the land and top clubs.

Coming at the very end with the most outstanding players already announced as Soccer Star of the Year finalists, there was that added attraction of wanting to see those selected at that particular time.

The Sunday News, as part of the build-up to the Munhumutapa Cup run several stories that brought back football fans’ and readers’ memories about previous FA Cups.

Today, we feature the 1986 Natbrew Cup that featured Dynamos and Highlanders in the final played at Rufaro Stadium in Harare on 2 November.

The match had all the ingredients of a thriller. There was a Highlanders team that already had the Independence Cup, Rothmans Shield and the Chibuku Trophy.

Dynamos were no ordinary side; they had just won the BAT Super League title. It was battle royale, pitting some of the best talents ever in Zimbabwean football.

Journalist Shaun Orange on The Chronicle’s preview and back page lead was headlined in bold “HIGHLANDERS’ BEST CHANCE.”

The paper had pictures of Moses Chunga and Madinda Ndlovu as potential match deciders.
Sunday Chidzambwa was the Dynamos coach while Barry Daka was in his third season as Bosso coach following his return from the Olympics in 1984 to replace Bobby Clark, who had returned to the United Kingdom.
Under him Highlanders had become a mean machine brimming with great talent.

At Dynamos, Chidzambwa had continued a culture he had found at the club, that of winning championships when he was a player, and the legacy had to be perpetuated.

A side story next to the preview was on the referees of the day being under the microscope.
In front of a massive crowd estimated to have been 40 000 at Rufaro Stadium, Highlanders, inspired by inform and man of the match Alexander Maseko, made their own history winning their first Castle Cup.

It was not just the Castle Cup but the Football Association (FA) Cup, a trophy that they had failed to lay their hands on since they joined Rhodesia Football Federation leagues in 1969.

“It was just not Dynamos’ day. They were never given the chance to play their usual game by a Highlanders team bristling with confidence. Even the Harare’s side ace striker, Moses Chunga, was kept at bay and given little room to display his mastery by man of the match Alex Maseko,” read part of the match report on 3 November.

Madinda Ndlovu shot Highlanders into the lead in the 39th minute, beating Leon Ntawantawa in goal for Dynamos.
Chunga made it 1-1 in the 64th minute when he converted from the spot after the late Mercedes Sibanda had held in the box.

Tobias Mudyambanje, who had been introduced in the 54th minute for Tanny Banda, scored the winner, a header in the 85th minute to give Highlanders a deserved 2-1 win.

Bosso, who had beaten before 1-0 in the Rothmans Shield, a goal scored by Nhamo Shambira in the dying minutes.
It was no ordinary talent on display by both teams.

Dynamos had Ntawantawa in goal, Garnett Muchongwe at rightback, Oliver Kateya on the left and Misheck Marimo and Eddie Muchongwe were the centrebacks.

Allan Mapila, David Madingora and Kenneth Jere operated in midfield with Clayton Munemo, Chunga, and Max Makanza-Lunga leading the attack. Edward Katsvere was introduced later for Mapila but could not conjure up a miracle against a resolute Highlanders.

Peter Nkomo was in goal for Highlanders, Mercedes Sibanda on the right, Fanuel Ncube on the left, Douglad Mloyi and Maseko at the heart of defence, with the midfield made up of Tito Paketh, Willard Khumalo and Titus Majola.

Terroriser in chief, Madinda was on the right with Tanny Banda on the left and Nhamo Shambira leading the attack.
Fans will be looking forward to a great final to bring the season to an eventful ending, hopefully at the National Sports Stadium, whose refurbishments have been going on well.