Sports / Soccer
Mbada Diamond Cup comes to life, Bosso takes on Chikwata
24 Sep 2011 at 17:36hrs | Views
AFTER failing to land the BancABC Sup8r Cup two weeks ago, Highlanders will be hoping to make it right in the Mbada Diamond Cup when they start their journey with a date against Zimbabwe Saints at the Colliery today.
Bosso lost 0-1 to Motor Action in the BancABC final at Barbourfields. And the Bulawayo derby, away from home, will give Highlanders another chance for a shot at a major knockout tournament.
Even though Zimbabwe Saints are no longer a force to reckon with, the prize on offer is good enough to inspire them and set the stage for a fierce contest in Hwange this afternoon. Chauya Chikwata have already lost twice to Bosso and they are not ready to lose a third time.
Highlanders' youthful coach Mkhupali "Mr Cooper" Masuku has conceded that today's showdown will be tough.
"It should be a difficult game for us considering that we have beaten them twice this season. But we are looking forward to the game and we will do whatever it takes to get to the next round. And tomorrow's game will take us there," said Masuku.
The gaffer said he will combine youth and experience for this game and was yet to decide which goalkeeper to use between Ariel Sibanda and veteran Lovemore Makwavarara.
The team welcomes Lawson Nkomo, Erick Mudzingwa and Bruce Tshuma who missed the 1-0 league win over Blue Ribbon at Barbourfields.
Masuku said he was expecting former Mwana Africa forward Graham Ncube, who has been scoring crucial goals, to once again play a big part. "Graham has been doing well and hopefully he will continue from where he left," said Masuku.
Saints' assistant coach Edmore Sibanda, who has been in charge of the team since head coach Ephraim Chawanda took sick leave, believes his charges could upset Bosso at a neutral venue.
Saints have experienced players like defenders Chipo Tsodzo and John Kapenya while former Highlanders' striker Abraham Mbaiwa has been one of their best players.
At Mucheke this afternoon, Chicken Inn date a Kiglon side whose director Thomson Dondo wants his side to go all way to the final of the tournament.
Premiership newboys Chicken Inn have had a good run in the top-flight league and would want to cap it all with a good streak in the Cup.
After holding Motor Action 1-1 in a league match they dominated last weekend, Chicken Inn will travel to Mucheke hoping to continue from where they left off in Harare.
Coach Philani "Beefy" Ncube was confident that his team will do well against Kiglon.
"We want to succeed. It is a good tournament and it is a chance for every team to boost its profile. We will be playing at a neutral venue and know that Kiglon want this cup just like us and we respect them," said Ncube.
Chicken Inn have won convincingly in both league encounters against Kiglon - winning 5-0 in Harare and 3-0 in Bulawayo.
Kiglon coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe said his main focus was on surviving relegation.
In another match Moses "Bambo" Chunga and his exciting youthful brigade will invade the resort town of Kariba favourites to prevail over Masvingo at Nyamhunga tomorrow and end the season with something in their trophy's cabinet.
Since taking over at Chando Kupisa, Chunga has changed the club's fortunes and names like Leonard Fiyado and Cliff Sekete are now familiar with fans.
"Obviously we are fired up for the occasion coming from convincing wins in the league and we want to give a good account of ourselves in this tournament," said Chunga.
Given Chunga's popularity around the country, it's a safe bet that his team will have the bulk of the support in Kariba tomorrow.
It's a sign of how things have changed at Gunners that a defeat tomorrow will be considered a shock.
FC Platinum will be hoping to return to winning ways when they date Black Mambas at Gibo this afternoon. The newboys, who are joint leaders with Motor Action in the marathon, have not won a match in the past four games.
Fixtures
Today: FC Platinum v Black Mambas (Gibo), Highlanders v Zimbabwe Saints (Colliery), Chicken Inn v Kiglon (Mucheke), Hwange v Shooting Stars (Barbourfields).
Tomorrow: Motor Action v Monomotapa (Sakubva), Dynamos v CAPS United (NSS), Blue Ribbon v Shabanie (Ascot), Gunners v Masvingo (Nyamhunga).
Bosso lost 0-1 to Motor Action in the BancABC final at Barbourfields. And the Bulawayo derby, away from home, will give Highlanders another chance for a shot at a major knockout tournament.
Even though Zimbabwe Saints are no longer a force to reckon with, the prize on offer is good enough to inspire them and set the stage for a fierce contest in Hwange this afternoon. Chauya Chikwata have already lost twice to Bosso and they are not ready to lose a third time.
Highlanders' youthful coach Mkhupali "Mr Cooper" Masuku has conceded that today's showdown will be tough.
"It should be a difficult game for us considering that we have beaten them twice this season. But we are looking forward to the game and we will do whatever it takes to get to the next round. And tomorrow's game will take us there," said Masuku.
The gaffer said he will combine youth and experience for this game and was yet to decide which goalkeeper to use between Ariel Sibanda and veteran Lovemore Makwavarara.
The team welcomes Lawson Nkomo, Erick Mudzingwa and Bruce Tshuma who missed the 1-0 league win over Blue Ribbon at Barbourfields.
Masuku said he was expecting former Mwana Africa forward Graham Ncube, who has been scoring crucial goals, to once again play a big part. "Graham has been doing well and hopefully he will continue from where he left," said Masuku.
Saints' assistant coach Edmore Sibanda, who has been in charge of the team since head coach Ephraim Chawanda took sick leave, believes his charges could upset Bosso at a neutral venue.
Saints have experienced players like defenders Chipo Tsodzo and John Kapenya while former Highlanders' striker Abraham Mbaiwa has been one of their best players.
At Mucheke this afternoon, Chicken Inn date a Kiglon side whose director Thomson Dondo wants his side to go all way to the final of the tournament.
Premiership newboys Chicken Inn have had a good run in the top-flight league and would want to cap it all with a good streak in the Cup.
After holding Motor Action 1-1 in a league match they dominated last weekend, Chicken Inn will travel to Mucheke hoping to continue from where they left off in Harare.
Coach Philani "Beefy" Ncube was confident that his team will do well against Kiglon.
"We want to succeed. It is a good tournament and it is a chance for every team to boost its profile. We will be playing at a neutral venue and know that Kiglon want this cup just like us and we respect them," said Ncube.
Chicken Inn have won convincingly in both league encounters against Kiglon - winning 5-0 in Harare and 3-0 in Bulawayo.
Kiglon coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe said his main focus was on surviving relegation.
In another match Moses "Bambo" Chunga and his exciting youthful brigade will invade the resort town of Kariba favourites to prevail over Masvingo at Nyamhunga tomorrow and end the season with something in their trophy's cabinet.
Since taking over at Chando Kupisa, Chunga has changed the club's fortunes and names like Leonard Fiyado and Cliff Sekete are now familiar with fans.
"Obviously we are fired up for the occasion coming from convincing wins in the league and we want to give a good account of ourselves in this tournament," said Chunga.
Given Chunga's popularity around the country, it's a safe bet that his team will have the bulk of the support in Kariba tomorrow.
It's a sign of how things have changed at Gunners that a defeat tomorrow will be considered a shock.
FC Platinum will be hoping to return to winning ways when they date Black Mambas at Gibo this afternoon. The newboys, who are joint leaders with Motor Action in the marathon, have not won a match in the past four games.
Fixtures
Today: FC Platinum v Black Mambas (Gibo), Highlanders v Zimbabwe Saints (Colliery), Chicken Inn v Kiglon (Mucheke), Hwange v Shooting Stars (Barbourfields).
Tomorrow: Motor Action v Monomotapa (Sakubva), Dynamos v CAPS United (NSS), Blue Ribbon v Shabanie (Ascot), Gunners v Masvingo (Nyamhunga).
Source - TH
