adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
SHABANIE forward Tarisayi Rukanda is disappointed that the asbestos miners will not be able to defend their BancABC Sup8r Cup next season after finishing the league campaign outside the top eight this year.
In 2012, Shabanie finished in fifth place in the league and they had a dream campaign in the 2013 BancABC Sup8r competition where they knocked out Chicken Inn and Dynamos on their way to the final where they beat FC Platinum.
“I felt happy when Shabanie Mine won the BancABC Sup8r Cup because that was my first major in the Premiership with the club.
“So I have now got my first medal and first trophy from the competition,” said Rukanda yesterday.
Rukanda finished as the joint top goalscorer of the tournament with Russell Madamombe of Dynamos after they both scored two goals during the competition.
Yesterday, the sponsors, BancABC held a belated ceremony to present prizes to the individual players who excelled in the BancABC Sup8r Cup with Shabanie players taking most of the honours.
Shabanie goalkeeper Victor Twaliki was the Goalkeeper of the Tournament while gangly midfielder Tafadzwa Mombeshora took the Player of the Tournament honours.
“I thought this was our year and we did very well in the Cup competition but I was not happy with our performance in the league.
Going into the last game of the season, Shabanie Mine were in eighth position but finished 11th when the programme closed.
“The competition in the league this season was very tight because, at 40 points, a club was in danger of relegation,” said Rukanda.
Rukanda joined Shabanie Mine in 2010 after spending a season at Highlanders in 2009, having started his career with Kujatana in Victoria Falls.
Meanwhile Desmund Ali, the BancABC representative, said they were happy to partner football as the financial institute also invests in Dynamos, Highlanders, Black Mambas, Chapungu and Flame Lily.
Online Reporter