Step up: Soccer legend Ncube challenges Hwange players

FOOTBALL legend Twyman Ncube has challenged Hwange players to step up and present strong opposition to Dynamos’ bid for the inaugural Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.

The Munhumutapa Cup is the most lucrative competition in the country, with US$5 million set aside for this year’s edition.

Competition for the third round, which has 32 teams of which 18 are Premiership clubs, starts this Friday and promises to be a thriller.

The Munhumutapa Challenge Cup is now the biggest tournament. It is the Zimbabwe Football Association Cup whose winners qualify to represent the country in the Caf Confederations Cup, which is held every year and involves clubs from all over the African continent.

In the past it was known as the Castle Cup, Zifa Cup, Natbrew Cup, Zifa Natbrew Cup and later the Unity Cup.

President Mnangagwa was instrumental in the return of the FA Cup and the sponsorship.

Ncube, who played for Wankie and for Chibuku Shumba, was nicknamed the Ghost of Chibuku as he would ghost into the box to score regularly.

“The boys have to step up; this is a big tie. We knew every time we played Dynamos it was a top drawer match with either side eager to win. Players knew what it meant to don the Wankie colours and Dynamos would be up and ready to defend the badge. It was that kind of a match that every player wanted to be part of and worked hard to be selected,” said Ncube, an opportunistic striker who was part of the initial Rhodesia squad for the final World Cup qualifier against Australia in 1969.

The country lost to Australia in the qualifier, which was replayed after the first match had been drawn and missed out on an opportunity to play at the 1970 World Cup.

Ncube was part of the Wankie side that beat Dynamos 9-8 in a marathon penalty shootout of the Castle Cup final in 1973.

The first match had ended in a 2-2 draw with the second 3-3 with an Ernest Kamba hattrick while the coalminers had Ncube scoring a brace and another from legendary Rodrick Simwanza.

In the third semi-final, Ncube, Ken Fulton and the late Barry Daka were on target for Wankie while The Master Mind, George Shaya, Kamba and David Madondo scored for Dynamos. In the ensuing penalty shootout towards the end, there was violence and the lottery was banned and lifted after 1980.

“The boys will have to rise to it; they are in the championship race in Division One and a win would lift them in the championship campaign. Hwange is a Premiership division; we fought hard to brand the team. The onus is on the boys to take the responsibility by the scruff of the neck. Hwange people would love to see their team do well,” said the legendary striker.

Ncube played alongside Daniel and Amos Rendo, Isaac Phiri, Masiyiwa Sakala, Joseph Chimao, Sam Mutende and Mwape Sakala.

Dynamos and Highlanders have always been the teams to beat in Zimbabwean football.

Round of 32 Fixtures

Friday

Aqua v Chilli FC (Luveve)

Saturday

MWOS Under-19 v Chatidhege FC (Ngoni), Blackrock v Highlanders (Colliery), FC Odene v Scottland (Baobab), Mamene v FC Platinum (Chahwanda), Gwanda Pirates v Jordan (Pelandaba), Bulawayo Chiefs v Agama (Luveve), MWOS v Herentals (Ngoni)

Sunday

Chickenn Inn v Ngezi Platinum (Luveve), Scottland Juniors v Caps United (Baobab), TelOne v Blanket Mine (Ascot),Simba Bhora v Manica Diamonds (Wadzanayi), Hwange v Dynamos (Colliery), Kwekwe United v Hardrock (Chahwanda), Norton Big Boys v FC Hunters (Ngoni), ZPC Kariba v Triangle (Nyamhunga)