HARARE City have a chance of winning their first-ever silverware since promotion to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) when they clash with FC Platinum in the Chibuku Super Cup final slated for Mandava Stadium on Sunday. SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA/ THANDIWE MOYO
The Sunshine Boys, as Harare City are known, were promoted at the end of 2011.
It will be interesting to see how Harare City head coach Masimba Dinyero will fare against his former side FC Platinum following his unceremonious departure in April this year.
The match could be very tough as FC Platinum could be eyeing their second silverware under Norman Mapeza who lifted the ZNA Charity Cup at Mandava Stadium in September when the Zvishavane side thumped Caps United 6-0.
Dinyero said he was happy to be back in Zvishavane although on a different mission.
“Preparations for the Chibuku Super Cup final are going on very well,” he said.
“I am happy to be back to face my former team. Football is all about friendship. However, we hope to win because it is an honour for us to be playing in a cup final.
“Morale is very high in camp. The players will want to prove themselves against FC Platinum. We need to win the match at all costs.
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“We are expecting a good game because the players feel very honoured to be playing in a cup final. We also want Harare City Football Club supporters to be happy.”
Harare City booted out PSL title contenders ZPC Kariba in the first round winning 1-0 before cruising through to the semi-final courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Chiredzi in the quarter-finals.
The Sunshine Boys added more misery to fallen giants Highlanders with a 3-0 win in the semi-finals with Francesco Zekumbawire, William Manondo and Martin Vengesai on target.
However, Vengesai has been ruled out of the match through injury while Manondo will be hoping to be on target against his former team.
For FC Platinum, this is another chance to add more silverware to their cabinet which is already brimming with the CG Msipa Charity Shield, the Independence Trophy and the ZNA Charity Shield.
FC Platinum have also qualified for the Mbada Diamonds Cup as they will finish the season in the top four.
They will be without Aaron Katebe who has been called for duty for Zambia’s Africa Cup of Nations 2015 qualifiers against Mozambique and Cape Verde on November 15 and 19 respectively.
Mapeza will bank on Walter Musona, Qadr Amin, Gift Bello, Donald Ngoma, Thabani Kamusoko and goalkeeper Petros Mhari.
“It is a cup final and we have to shift our focus towards the game,” Mapeza said yesterday.
“Everyone in the team is aware of what is required of them.”
Mapeza said the absence of Katebe would not affect their game plan.
FC Platinum beat Bantu Rovers 3-0 in the first round before they made it to the quarter-finals. An own goal by Caps United Malawian defender George Nyirenda saw the Mapeza-coached side sail through to the next round.
In the semi-finals, the platinum miners dismissed Black Rhinos 1-0.
Winners will pocket $75 000, with $50 000 being set aside for the losing finalist. Gate charges have been reduced to a $1 for the rest of the ground while grandstands will cost $3.
