adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
ORGANISERS of the ZNA Charities Tournament are happy with this year’s edition and have decided to play the final featuring CAPS United and FC Platinum at Mandava next week.
The director of Zimbabwe National Army public relations Alphios Makotore told a Press conference they were looking to a successful conclusion of the competition, which started with four teams early in the season.
CAPS United progressed to the finals courtesy of a 1-0 win over Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium while FC Platinum were 3-2 victors over Highlanders at Barbourfields in May.
“In Bulawayo, if we can fill up Soweto and if we can fill up Embakweni, generally that’s a fair crowd. Then there were other people at the VIP and at the other sides.
“So when you can fill up those two bays you know you have got something in the bag, that’s definite.
“Those people were all paying and we are quite happy about that. We made a profit and the figures will be unveiled. The same happened in Harare, so we are quite happy with the response.
“Actually we are saying we should have done these soccer matches (involving more teams) a long time ago.
“Definitely next year we would want to expand, to bring in more teams and make it even be bigger. We might get even a bigger purse coming,” said Makotore.
The winning team will walk away with a trophy and “some incentives” which will be revealed at a later date. The army charities matches are part of the fund-raising activities for the armies various charities.
Usually, the event features teams from the defence forces but this year the organisers have decided to make it bigger by roping in the top Premiership sides.
Last year, the tournament featured Black Rhinos and CAPS United which Makepekepe won 2-1.
However there were fears this year’s final, which will take place on the same day giants Highlanders and Dynamos will be battling it out in the US$110 000 TM Pick ‘n Pay Challenge Cup at the National Sports Stadium, might be overshadowed by the events in Harare.
Makotore however believes theirs is a bigger brand and are looking to a successful conclusion of the tournament.
“ZNA is a big brand. If we were to have another match at Gwanzura we would not be overshadowed. It’s actually us overshadowing them, just wait and see. If you look at FC Platinum in Zvishavane and CAPS United chasing their colours that is going to be a big match definitely.” said Makotore.
Online Reporter