HARARE City coach Masimba Dinyero makes an emotional return to Mandava on Sunday to face FC Platinum in the final of the Chibuku Super Cup. TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Dinyero was forced out of FC Platinum in April this year where he was assistant coach to then coach Lloyd Mutasa.
However, the former Dynamos midfielder, a previous winner of the 1989 soccer star of year award, has since moved on with his life assuming the position of interim coach at Harare City where he has turned around things following a turbulent start to the season under Bigboy Mawiwi.
But Harare City have been struggling in the past few games and their chances of surviving relegation were left hanging by a thread after they stuttered to a 1-1 draw against Harare giants Caps United at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Dinyero knows winning the Chibuku Super Cup will restore confidence in his charges ahead of their survival battle against Chicken Inn on the last day of the league programme.
The Sunshine City Boys lie in 12th place with 35 points — the same as Shabanie Mine — and a win against Chicken Inn will all but guarantee them top-flight league next season.
Dinyero said FC Platinum were a very organised outfit, but insisted they were ready for them.
“They are a very organised side and are playing well under Norman Mapeza, but we have a squad that can compete,” he said.
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“Everyone is looking forward to this game. It’s my first cup final and winning it will be really special. It will help in motivating the players ahead of our remaining league fixture against Chicken Inn.”
The Sunshine City Boys defied odds to boot out high-flying ZPC Kariba 1-0 in the first round before edging Chiredzi FC 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
They then overcame Highlanders 3-0 in the semi-finals to reach their maiden cup final.
Former Hwange and Dynamos striker Francesco Zekumbawire inspired them to that memorable victory with a brilliant goal while William Manondo and Martin Vengesai also weighed in with a goal each.
FC Platinum, who beat Black Rhinos 1-0 to reach the final, will however, be missing the services of Zambian international defender Aaron Katebe who has been called up to the national team preparing for the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Winners of the Chibuku Super Cup will pocket $75 000, while the losing finalists will take home $50 000.
Meanwhile the draw for the Chibuku Super Cup promotion will be held during half time and a brand new Toyota Quantum and lots of other prizes will be up for grabs.
