Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZPC Kariba have warned defending champions Dynamos to expect a full blooded battle when the sides meet in tomorrow’s Chibuku Super Cup quarterfinal at Rufaro Stadium.
Club secretary Robert Mamvura told Zimpapers Sports Hub his players are driven to knock out the Harare giants, who have ruled the knockout tournament for the past two seasons.
“We are looking forward to a very exciting match against the defending champions and we are saying the better team of the day should win,” Mamvura said. “Our guys are highly motivated. The fact that we have reached the quarterfinals is good motivation and it’s enough for them to want to go on. This is an opportunity for them to make names for themselves and to position themselves for the rewards that come with excelling in this competition. Everyone is excited with the feeling of winning against Dynamos, who are the defending champions. So, we are going there to fight. We shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
ZPC Kariba booked their place in the last eight after edging Chicken Inn 6-5 on penalties following a goalless draw at Nyamhunga. But their record against Dynamos in this tournament is poor. They lost 3-1 in last year’s first round and went down 1-0 in a 2021 group match at the National Sports Stadium.
This season, though, they have set a bigger target. Mamvura said the club wants to surpass its 2019 run when they reached the semi-finals before losing to Highlanders.
“Since we started playing in this tournament, our best performance was reaching the semi-finals and we got knocked out by Highlanders in 2019. So, the aim this year is to improve on that record by going all the way,” he said.
Dynamos, meanwhile, are chasing a third straight Chibuku Super Cup crown after lifting the trophy in 2023 and 2024. Their own league form has been patchy, but they have shown renewed fight under new coach Kelvin Kaindu. For the first time in the competition’s history they started from the preliminary round, eliminating Yadah Stars and Simba Bhora, both on penalties, to reach the quarters.
Tomorrow’s clash headlines a weekend of knockout football that also features Manica Diamonds against Triangle at Sakubva. On Sunday Bikita Minerals face MWOS at Gibbo, while Highlanders host Scottland at Barbourfields.
Chibuku Super Cup Quarter-final Fixtures
Saturday: Manica Diamonds v Triangle (Sakubva), Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro)
Sunday: Bikita Minerals v MWOS (Gibbo), Highlanders v Scottland (Barbourfields)
