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Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
THE return of the BancABC Sup8r soccer tournament has boosted the morale of last year’s top eight teams as they brace for the richest knockout competition this year. The winners will pocket $120 000 in prize-money. Highlanders, Dynamos, Caps United, Chicken Inn, Motor Action, Monomotapa, Shabanie Mine and Buffaloes are taking part in this year’s edition of the BancABC Sup8r Cup.
The teams have high expectations of the event which kicks off on 28 June, with matches strewn around the country.
Dynamos will be certainly eyeing the treble this season after winning the double last season which is the league championship and Mbada Cup.
The quarter-final draw for the Sup8r Cup will see Bulawayo giants Highlanders take on FC Platinum which is arguably the biggest of the first round clashes while Dynamos take on Buffaloes, Chicken Inn lock horns with Shabanie Mine and Motor Action clash with Monomotapa.
Highlanders chairman Peter Dube spoke of the return of the tournament as a morale booster in local football.
“It is a morale booster for the clubs and further demonstrates the role the corporate world plays in the development of football,” Dube said.
Dube went on to speak about Highlanders being ready to conquer in this year Sup8r Cup.
“We are ready to take on FC Platinum as a club and I think our fans are ready for the big clash as well,” said Dube.
Chicken Inn emerged the happier side as they avoided their close neighbours Highlanders and Harare giants Dynamos in the early stages of the tournament.
Chicken Inn chairperson Lifa Ncube said it is a fair draw for his team. “It is a fair draw for us, as all teams are the same and we are happy to face Shabanie Mine in the quarter-finals of the Sup8r Cup, we are ready for any challenges in the tournament,” said Ncube.
The Shabanie Mine gaffer Luke Masomere spoke confidently of the clash against the Bulawayo side whom he labelled a fair challenge.
“It is a fair draw to play Chicken Inn, they are a very good side and we are good as well.”
On the return of the Sup8r Cup Masomere said: “The return of the Sup8r Cup is a morale booster for the teams and football in general, so we will do our best to protect the brand image of BancABC.”
The Shabanie Mine coach was in jovial mood as they face the Gamecocks at Mandava Stadium and will be counting on home advantage.
“We are counting on home advantage since we are playing in Zvishavane, which is good for us but we are not taking Chicken Inn lightly,” said Masomere.
Joey Antipas, the Motor Action coach said the tournament will increase the morale of the teams competing in the league in order to take part in the next campaign. “The return of the tournament is a morale booster for the teams in the league as they fight to finish in the top eight for next year,” said Antipas.
Antipas went on to say it was better to be drawn against big giants such as Dynamos or Highlanders than Monomotapa who are a difficult team to play.
“We are facing a tricky side and I think it was better to be drawn against Dynamos or Highlanders because this is a difficult match for us but we are ready to face them,” said Antipas
Last year’s top eight teams will lock horns on 28 June and most teams are setting their sights on the prize-money. Every team will pocket at least $15 000 each for participating in this year edition of the BancABC Sup8r Cup.
The tournament was not held last year due to a number of reasons and the teams which finished in the top eight in 2011 and were due to have taken part last year will be paid about $15 000 each.
Online Reporter