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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
BLACK Rhinos defender Gareth Madhake believes his team’s fairytale run in the Chibuku Super Cup will continue this Saturday when the army side meet Bulawayo Chiefs in the semi-finals at Mandava.
Chauya Chipembere are surprise semi-final packages after they beat Chicken Inn in a marathon penalty shoot-out after the game had ended 1-1 in regulation time in the quarter-finals at Vengere in Rusape a couple of weeks ago.
Mandava host the two semi-final matches this weekend with Black Rhinos taking on the Bulawayo side in the first match at 1pm. Chibuku Super Cup holders FC Platinum will then take on Herentals in a later kick-off at 3.30pm.
The semi-final games will be broadcast live on Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN Prime).
Black Rhinos centre-back Madhake is one of the outstanding players for the army side this season. And the ex-Harare City man, who was transformed from being a right-back to a central defender, says it is all about teamwork.
“As a team, we are really happy with the stage that we have reached in this Cup. It can only be God.
“We are looking forward to winning the weekend game and reaching the final. We are really praying that we win the match,” said Madhake. However, Madhake says that the contest against an inspired Bulawayo Chiefs would be a tough match.
Black Rhinos won the league match duel against Bulawayo Chiefs 2-1 in the first round before they suffered a 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.
“It will be a tough match, it won’t be an easy game at all and we really know the kind of competition we are up against. We don’t want to say much before the game” said Madhake. On their road to the semi-finals, the army side defeated two giants, beating CAPS United 1-0 in the first round. They then got the better of Chicken Inn in an exciting penalty shoot-out that ended 9-8 in favour of the soldiers. The match had ended 1-1.
Now, Black Rhinos meet Bulawayo Chiefs who have also qualified to the last four in their short stay in the Premiership.
Only the defending champions FC Platinum are the most experienced team in the tournament that is still standing.
Madhake says Rhinos have been working as a team and working hard, taking instructions from their coaches.
“It has been all about teamwork. Personally, I am also happy with my performance and I attribute it to teamwork and the coach’s investment in my work. I give all the glory to God. I am especially happy that I am at a team that has players who play for each other,” said Madhake.
The Premier Soccer League decided to stage the semi-finals as a double header as a rare treat to football fans.
The Chibuku Super Cup final will be played on November 19 at Barbourfields.
“This is for the fans. A decision was made with the view of having a good football day by having the two matches played on the same day at the same venue,” said PSL spokesperson Kudzai Bare.
Online Reporter