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Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
THE derby BancABC Sup8r final match between Shabanie Mine and FC Platinum set for Mandava Stadium this afternoon has created a lot of interest among Midlands soccer fans and the nation at large.
A blood and thunder affair is expected this afternoon in what would be a first for the province to hold such a major cup final.
Supporters, some neutral, have expressed mixed feelings over the final outcome of the match set to bring the entire town to a virtual standstill.
“It’s going to be a tough match but FC Platinum are going to win because Shabanie is relaxed after shocking Dynamos in the semi-final,” said Jacob Moyo, popularly known as “DeMbare” because of his love for the Glamour Boys.
A Highlanders fan based in Zvishavane, Thabani Masuku, tipped FC Platinum to lift the cup.
“It’s going to be 50-50 but FC Platinum has an upper hand because the ground is not neutral. They train there everyday,” said Masuku.
Robert Chinhakwe, who religiously follows the platinum miners, predicted a difficult encounter this afternoon.
“We want to maintain the brotherhood spirit whether we lose or win and that is why we joined Shabanie in celebrating their victory when they beat Dynamos. I wish both teams will do well in the Mbada cup again,” said Chinhakwe.
He said he was happy the cup final was in Zvishavane and hailed the sponsors and the league for the honour.
A lady in the town who runs a clothing shop, Polite Nhokwara, was confident that Shabanie will lift the cup this afternoon.
“Shabanie is going to win 2-1 or 2 nil as we have the confidence. FC Platinum is afraid of Shabanie and they have fewer supporters here compared to Shabanie. If we cheer our team to the final whistle we will collect the trophy,” she said.
A resident DJ, Flex Goronga popularly known as DJ Flex, is putting his money on the platinum miners.
“If Tafadzwa Mombeshora is in form, Shabanie can have the upper hand but FC Platinum is going to win. The combination of Raphael Muduviwa, Charles Sibanda and Michelle Katsvairo is very dangerous and Shabanie must be prepared to lose by a 2-1 margin,” he said.
Washington Marufu however did not agree with Goronga’s sentiments.
“We have already gone past FC Platinum and we are looking forward to our next match against Chicken Inn in the Mbada Cup quarter final. FC tagara tinoikurira bhora and munhu wese anozviziva. All we want is fair play,” he said.
A newspaper vendor Samson Moyo was excited with the match.
“My sales have been high for the past week and I hope the trend will continue next week. Shabanie is going to win 2-1 and I have confidence in the doctor of football (Luke Masomere),” he said.
Another Shabanie Mine fan, Vincent Furusa, a cellphone and forex dealer who operates 10 metres from BancABC branch in Zvishavane, was bragging about the cup.
“We are going to win 1 nil and the $120 000 is ours. We are going to withdraw it from our bank and that is why I am around here I am actually guarding the cash,” he said boasting.
Another FC Platinum supporter Thomas Ruvengo said there was nowhere the platinum boys were going to lose to the asbestos miners.
“We had always wanted to have a Zvishavane final and before the semi finals I had predicted that Shabanie and FC Platinum would proceed to the finals. Tomorrow we are going to lift the cup because Shabanie Mine will never beat us. They are small boys,” said Ruvengo, a taxi operator in the mining town.
Online Reporter