THE Barbourfields double header on Sunday between Highlanders and Triangle and How Mine-Black Rhinos will headline the first round matches of the million-dollar Mbada Diamonds Cup that kicks off on Saturday.
WELLINGTON TONI SPORTS EDITOR
Three matches will be played on Saturday with NetOne Charity Shield winners Chicken Inn will be resuming their rivalry against newly-crowned BancABC Sup8r Cup winners Shabanie Mine at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
Caps United will engage Motor Action at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare while Buffaloes and Black Mambas will clash at Rimuka Stadium in Kadoma.
On Sunday, defending champions Dynamos will travel to Gibbo Stadium in Chiredzi for a date with Tripple B.
Harare City will take on Monomotapa at Rufaro while the battle of the miners pitting FC Platinum and Hwange will take place at the Colliery Stadium.
Dynamos defeated Monomotapa 2-0 in last year’s final and will be looking for a historic third win on the trot after being drawn against the Beitbridge side.
But it is the double header at Barbourfields Stadium that will set the tournament alight on Sunday as How Mine — the giant killers who have beaten both Dynamos and Highlanders this season — take part in their first cup competition since promotion.
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Highlanders, on the other hand, have struggled in cup competitions and last reached a final in 2011 when they lost 0-1 to Motor Action in the BancABC Sup8r Cup. Premier Soccer League (PSL) chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said kick-off times will be confirmed later as SuperSport will screen all opening matches over the weekend.
From the first round to the final, each of the 18 players selected by clubs to take part in matches will receive $100 appearance fee while the seven members of the technical team will receive $150.
The man-of-the-match will receive $500 while the same prize money will be awarded for the fastest goal of the tournament.
Sponsors, Mbada, will cater for the teams’ travel, food and accommodation expenses hence the appeal to reduce gate charges to $1 to increase attendances.
While Zifa will be the first to cry foul, the association’s vice-president Ndumiso Gumede said on Saturday night in Zvishavane that the idea was welcome, but high attendances could also lead to stampedes. The league and Zifa will decide on the gate charges this week.
