adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE 31st edition of the Independence Cup roars into life this afternoon with Zifa announcing that $10,000 has been set aside for the eventual winners of the cup. The final, set to pit winners of today’s semifinals, will be held soon after the main Uhuru celebrations at the giant National Sports Stadium on Saturday. The two semi-final matches will pit reigning champions FC Platinum who will take on troubled Caps United at Mandava Stadium while record seven time winners Dynamos will be at Rufaro Stadium taking on ZPC Kariba. Both matches kick off at 3.30PM.
Losing finalists will take home $5,000, third place finishers will get $4,000 with $3,000 set aside for the team that will finish fourth.
According to the Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela, gate charges for the matches have been slashed so as to attract more football fans into the stadia.
“The two independence cup clashes are going ahead as planned and we appeal to the whole nation to come in large numbers to support the nation’s great cause of a successful Independence Day commemorations.
“We’ve also slashed gate charges to make sure everyone gets an opportunity to celebrate,” said Gwesela.
Gate charges for the rest of the ground have been pegged at $2, upper grand stand seats will cost $5 with a VIP ticket selling for $10.
Dynamos will naturally begin their journey as favourites to go all the way and win their eighth Uhuru Cup, having won their inaugural one in 1983 when the Independence Cup was also inaugurated. The Glamour Boys, yet to lose a match this season, have tricky and stubborn customers in ZPC Kariba who are also eyeing their first silverware.
At Mandava, it will be a battle of wounded sides.
FC Platinum, 3-1 losers to Chicken Inn in a Premiership match over the weekend, will want to redeem themselves against an equally limping Caps United who were mauled 4-0 by team of the moment Triangle United.
DeMbare’s last triumph in the Uhuru Cup was in 2013 when they beat Highlanders 1-0. Infact Dynamos’ five of the seven wins have come at the expense of Highlanders winning 2-1 in 1983, 2-0 in 1998, 2-1 in 2004, 2-0 in 2010 and 1-0 in 2013.
Highlanders on the other hand boast of six Independence Cup wins, their first in 1986 where they beat Caps United 2-1.
Bosso’s last taste of the Independence Cup was in 2011 at the expense of their old nemesis Dynamos through a penalty shootout.
Mkhuphali Masuku was in charge of Highlanders then, having taken over from Egyptian Mohammed Fathi.
This year’s Independence Day celebrations will be held under the theme: “Zimbabwe @35: Consolidating Unity, Peace and Economic Sovereignty”.
Independence Cup winners since 1983
1983, 1984 (Dynamos), 1986 (Highlanders), 1987 (Black Rhinos), 1988, (Highlanders), 1989 (Zimbabwe Saints), 1990 (Dynamos), 1991 (Highlanders), 1992, 1993 (Caps United), 1994 (Chapungu United), 1995 (Dynamos), 1996,1997 (Caps United), 1998 (Highlanders),1999 (AmaZulu), 2001, 2002 (Highlanders), 2003 (Black Rhinos), 2004 (Dynamos), 2005 (Motor Action), 2006, 2007 (Masvingo United), 2008 (Shooting Stars), 2009 (Njube Sundowns), 2010 (Dynamos), 2011 (Highlanders), 2012 (FC Platinum), 2013 (Dynamos), 2014 (FC Platinum), 2015?
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter