Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Three former champions, Dynamos, Highlanders and Triangle, are safely through to the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup after the completion of the first round fixtures on Sunday.
Dynamos lifted the cup in 2023 and 2024, following Triangle’s 2018 triumph and Highlanders’ success in 2019. They are joined in the last eight by ZPC Kariba, Bikita Minerals, Scottland FC, MWOS and Manica Diamonds.
This year’s edition has already produced nine open play goals from different scorers in the preliminary and first rounds. Those on target include Tineyi Tsimba (Bikita Minerals), Felix Hammond (Dynamos), Nigel Matinha and Arthur Banda (MWOS), Moses Shidolo (Scottland), Boid Mutukure (Simba Bhora), Frank Makarati (TelOne), Ali Sadiki (Triangle) and Mason Mushore (Highlanders).
Sadiki struck in the preliminary round to knock out Kwekwe United in a 1-0 win. In the first round, Tsimba and Makarati scored in a 1-1 draw between Bikita Minerals and TelOne before Minerals advanced 5-4 on penalties. Hammond netted for Dynamos while Mutukure replied for Simba Bhora, but DeMbare prevailed 4-3 on penalties to book their spot.
MWOS duo Banda and Matinha sank CAPS United 2-0, while Shidolo’s goal carried Scottland past Greenfuel. Mushore’s late free kick was enough for Highlanders to edge Herentals and secure their place in the last eight.
The quarter-final draw, conducted at Nyamhunga Stadium after Bosso’s rescheduled clash with Herentals, handed Dynamos a test against ZPC Kariba.
Highlanders were paired with Scottland, with the two sides having already met twice in the league this season, drawing 1-1 at Barbourfields before Scottland edged a 2-1 win at Rufaro.
Manica Diamonds will face Triangle, while Bikita Minerals await their opponents. Venues for the matches are yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action returns on Saturday with seven rounds left to play. The title race remains tense while the relegation battle deepens.
Highlanders travel to Mandava to face FC Platinum, while Chicken Inn host bottom placed Kwekwe United at Luveve. Log leaders Simba Bhora take on Scottland at Wadzanayi in a potentially decisive fixture.
Herentals College meet CAPS United, and ZPC Kariba host former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars at Nyamhunga. Yadah Stars face Bikita Minerals at Heart Stadium, while on Sunday Dynamos welcome Triangle United at Rufaro.
PSL Week 28 fixtures
TelOne v MWOS (Ascot), Chicken Inn v Kwekwe United (Luveve), Manica Diamonds v Greenfuel (Sakubva), Simba Bhora v Scottland (Wadzanayi), Herentals v CAPS United (Rufaro), ZPC Kariba v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Nyamhunga), FC Platinum v Highlanders (Mandava), Yadah v Bikita Minerals (Heart Stadium). — @FungaiMuderere.
