Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
BLACK Rhinos coach Stanford “Stix” Mutizwa, who won the Chibuku Super Cup as a player in 1987 wants his charges to emulate that side by knocking out Bulawayo Chiefs to secure a final place for the remodelled competition.
Black Rhinos take on Bulawayo chiefs in the first of the two Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals to be played at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane on Sunday.
It’s a game that both sides, Black Rhinos and Chiefs would want to win at all costs to be in the final of the competition that was reintroduced into the modern Premiership in 2014.
Mutizwa, who scored two goals when Black Rhinos beat Caps United 2-1 in 1987, is wary of their opponents who handed them their first defeat as an interim technical team when he replaced Hebert Maruwa. Chiefs beat Black Rhinos 1-0 on September 4, courtesy of a Perfect Chikwende goal.
Chauya Chipembere and Amakhosi Amahle have faced off six times in the league, with each side winning two home encounters and drawing once home and away.
Now they battle it out at a neutral venue, with both teams aiming to be in the final of the country’s most lucrative club competition.
Mutizwa is aware of the danger posed by Chiefs and wants his side to build from last weekend’s 2-0 Premiership win against Tenax. Chiefs lost their last league encounter 1-0 to Bulawayo City.
“The Chibuku Super Cup has history with Black Rhinos. In 1987 we won the Chibuku trophy after beating Caps United and most importantly for me, I was the one who scored both goals. And now I’m the coach. I’m happy that we have managed to reach this far, we know there are emotions and excitement in the team and everyone wants to be in the final.
“We know every game is a different game and for this one, we are going to take it more seriously because I think when we lost to them the last time in the league we were not that serious. This time around I expect the boys to be more determined and serious because we are all hoping to be in the final. We only achieve that when we take this semi-final game seriously and I’m positive we can achieve our target,” Mutizwa said.
To be in the semi-finals, Black Rhinos edged Caps United 1-0 on the first day and defeated Chicken Inn 9-8 on penalties after finishing the match 1-1 in regulation time.
Chiefs won the first round and the quarter-finals by identical 1-0 scorelines against ZPC Kariba and Highlanders.
Black Rhinos will look for inspiration from their goalkeeper Blessing Mwandimutsira, former Dynamos defender Peace Makaha, ex-Bulawayo Chiefs captain Gracious Muleya, as well as strikers Eli Lunga and Tawanda Nyamandwe.
Chiefs will miss the services of their top scorer in the league, Obriel Chirinda who has banged eight goals as well as forward Dela Arkoli.
They still have Chikwende, Kelvin Madzongwe, skipper Malvin Mkolo, central midfielders Lucky Ndlela and Hughe Chikosa, as well as playmaker Mthokozisi Msebe to inspire them to glory.
Online Reporter