AS Highlanders prepare to put their house in order, How Mine are waiting for the kill this weekend after the two teams were paired against each other in the quarter-finals of the $500 000 Chibuku Super Cup during the draw held in Warren Park, Harare, yesterday.
DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER
Coach Kelvin Kaindu will be aiming to stave off pressure from the team’s fans and do well in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals to atone for the 1-4 drubbing by Dynamos in the inaugural TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup final at the National Sports Stadium at the weekend.
Highlanders beat Shabanie Mine 1-0 in the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup at Ascot Stadium on August 17 through a goal by mid-season signing Pasca Manhanga while How Mine overcame Chicken Inn 1-0 in the first round at Mandava Stadium.
Highlanders, who are yet to win any piece of silverware this year, have a rich history in Chibuku Super Cup dating back to their success in inauguration edition in 1973 when it was the Chibuku Cup.
The Bulawayo giants went on to win the competition four more times in 1980, 1984, 1986 and 1989.
Troubled, Caps United were left facing another daunting task against their recent nemesis FC Platinum as they will clash in the last eight.
Chiredzi were drawn to face Harare City while giant killers Black Rhinos were paired with Triangle in a quarter-final line-up whose dates and venues will be confirmed by the Premier Soccer League.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The toast of the quarter-finals fixtures will, however, be the clash between Caps United and FC Platinum.
Caps United suffered one of their heaviest defeats in recent memory following a humiliating 0-6 drubbing by FC Platinum in the ZNA Charity Shield final at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.
The defeat in Zvishavane came hard on the heels of a simmering crisis at the club after players had threatened to boycott a league match away to Bantu Rovers in Bulawayo last Thursday over unpaid salaries and bonuses.
It was the second industrial action by players this season after another standoff at the club in June and there are already fears that this could have a negative impact on the club’s fortunes.
Caps coach Taurai Mangwiro refused to read much into the off-field issues saying he was happy with the draw as it would give his charges an opportunity to redeem themselves after last Saturday’s heavy defeat.
“It’s a welcome draw. After the humiliation we suffered at FC Platinum in the ZNA Charity Shield, the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final gives us a chance to redeem ourselves,” said Mangwiro.
FC Platinum qualified for the quarter-finals after a 3-0 victory over Bantu Rovers in Norman Mapeza’s first game in charge while Caps United beat Chapungu 3-0 at Rufaro Stadium.
Giant killers Black Rhinos, who dumped Dynamos out of the competition in the first round were drawn to face Triangle United who eliminated Hwange on penalties in the first round.
Triangle is already in the One Wallet Cup final. Triangle United goalkeepers’ coach Gift “Umbro” Muzadzi, who attended the draw, said he was happy with the outcome and was confident his team would progress to the last four.
“I think it was a fair draw especially if you look at the pairings that emerged. I don’t think a lot of people expected Caps United to be drawn against FC Platinum after they had played each other last week, but that’s what you expect at these draws,” he said.
“We won’t be aiming too high, but we are here to compete and our aim is to reach the next stage and if possible play until the last game of the tournament.”
His opposite number, Jostein Mathuthu, hailed the manner in which the draw was conducted, adding that his players were confident of doing well against Triangle.
“I think the draw has been conducted in a very fair environment. We wouldn’t have expected anything less than what we have been given. We are ready to face them, they are in the Premier League and so are we, they are playing well and again so are we,” he said.
“Well before the Dynamos match I believed they had the self-belief and confidence and every game that they play they really prove themselves to be worthy of a place in the Premier Soccer League, so they will be ready.”
Harare City, who thrashed ZPC Kariba 3-0 in the first round, face Chiredzi FC who shocked Buffaloes winning 4-3 at Sakubva Stadium.
Winners of the trophy will walk away with $75 000 while the losing finalists will take home $50 000. The two losing semi-finalists will each pocket $25 000 while teams that get knocked out at the quarter-final stage will walk away $20 000 richer.
The teams that were earlier knocked out of the competition are guaranteed $15 000 each.
Draw: FC Platinum v Caps United, How Mine v Highlanders, Chiredzi vs Harare City, Black Rhinos v Triangle
