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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
TEAMS that missed out in the Zifa Southern Region championship will be out to make amends and seek solace by winning the Landa John Nkomo Memorial Cup top-four competition which kicks off tomorrow.
League champions, Hwange, face ZPC Hwange at the Colliery Stadium on Sunday with league runners-up Tsholotsho taking on Talen Vision tomorrow at Luveve Stadium.
ZPC Hwange, the 2016 trophy winners’ coach Njabulo Dube spoke about his desire to lead his side to glory and make up for losing the championship.
“I think our chances of winning this cup are high and what we have to do is keep our cool and stick to the basics. Having missed the championship, winning this cup which we did in 2016 will motivate the boys. Everyone is raring to go,” said Dube.
The clash between Hwange and ZPC Hwange comes a week after the two sides met on the final match of the season which the former won 2-0 courtesy of goals by veteran Gilbert Zulu and Ernest Gwitima.
The coal miners coach Nation Dube said he will use fringe players for the tie.
“Now that the championship race is over, I think we will go with the guys who saw little action during the season. This is their opportunity to show to us that they deserve to be part of the squad next season and not benchwarmers. During the season we couldn’t tinker much with the team because we wanted results to get us back into the Premiership and now that we are done, let’s see how these other boys will perform.
“I know ZPC Hwange have been busy and will want to give us a good run, so it’s up to the boys we will field to show their worth,” said Nation.
An equally exciting semifinal encounter is on the cards at Luveve Stadium when Tsholotsho and Talen Vision square off.
Talen Vision coach Mkhuphali Masuku whose team is camped at Filabusi ahead of tomorrow’s game said:
“We’ve prepared well for what should be a crunch tie. Tsholotsho did well to finish the season on second position and that on its own says a lot about the opponent we are preparing for. They also have a good coach, who is a shrewd tactician in Joseph Sibindi which makes the game all to play for.”
Tsholotsho beat Talen Vision 2-0 in their last meeting. The two had played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the championship.
Sibindi said he has set his sights on the final.
“I’m one person who doesn’t concede a defeat before the game and as such, I’m going to the game with a winning mentality and looking forward to the final. If we lose, that will be it but we want to play in the final,” said Sibindi.
“Talen Vision have been doing well under Mkhuphali, they showed some kind of cohesiveness in our last game. Those who want to see beautiful game should come to Luveve Stadium on Saturday because both teams play some exciting game,” added Sibindi.
Liquor Hub are sponsoring the tournament to the tune of $5 000.
Winners of the cup will get $1 300, while the runners up will walk away $600 richer. The third and fourth-placed teams will each get $300.
John Landa Nkomo Memorial semi-finals fixture
Tomorrow: Tsholotsho v Talen Vision (Luveve, 3PM)
Sunday: Hwange v ZPC Hwange (Colliery, 3PM). — @ZililoR
Online Reporter