By Sheldon Hakata

THE turbulence that has rocked several premiership clubs in recent times will be temporarily forgotten as the tail end of the Castle Lager Premier League paves way for the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals with some potentially explosive fixtures in the offing.
The matches will be scattered across the country, with places like Gweru, Harare and Triangle witnessing the action.
It has been a drama-filled week that has seen forgotten giants Dynamos sinking further into the relegation zone while title contenders Ngezi Platinum fired their coach Tonderayi Ndiraya, despite sitting five points behind log leaders FC Platinum with just five matches to go.
The Chibuku Super Cup brings a huge sigh of relief for the troubled PSL clubs.
Traditionally, cup matches are very different from league ties, so anything can happen.
Log standings did not have a bearing on the teams that progressed to the next stage of the competition as the current leaders FC Platinum and their arch rivals Ngezi Platinum were booted out of the competition in the first round.
The small team tag is no longer existent in modern day football. Qualifying into the quarter-finals means that any team is capable of winning.
FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum were eliminated in the first round by so called small teams.
It was not an easy game for Chapungu against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium, but they won and progressed to the quarter-finals.
CAPS United shrugged off the ZPC Kariba challenge in the tightly contested match at the National Sports Stadium. The match ended in a stalemate and Makepekepe progressed through a penalty shoot-out. CAPS United will face Chapungu United away at Ascot Stadium in Gweru.
CAPS United have always performed better against fellow big teams but have struggled against so-called small teams.
CAPS’ midweek PSL league game was brilliant though they lost to Ngezi Platinum Stars. Last Sunday they played a goalless draw with Highlanders in a pulsating match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Green Machine have not won the Chibuku Super Trophy since its re-launch in 2014.
This piece of silverware will be most welcome in their cabinet.
With the league title out of reach, CAPS United set their target on the Chibuku Super Cup. They are a massive 21 points behind the log leaders FC Platinum.
Dynamos fired coach Lloyd Mutasa last week.
But overally, the problems at Dynamos are much deeper than the lack of results on the pitch.
They need an escape plan as prospects of relegation are slowly turning into reality.
Dynamos coaches, head-coach Lloyd Chigowe and assistant Murape Murape should know better. Following what has become a routine defeat at FC Platinum, they now enter another lion’s den, Herentals FC, in the quarter-finals at the ceremonial home of football, Rufaro Stadium.
Herentals have discarded the small team tag as displayed by their performance against seasoned performers.
Their ‘unknown’ players are delivering impressively.
The team is mostly composed of students and the ever-green 46-year-old Innocent Benza.
The students have gained both experience and confidence ever since they joined the topflight and proved a tough opponent.
The team has national team material in Richard Hachiro who caught the eye of the Warriors coach, Sunday Chidzambwa, who drafted him into the Zimbabwe AFCON squad facing DRC on October 10 2018.
Dynamos will be looking to redeem themselves in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter finals.
Dynamos only managed a win in the Chibuku Super Cup when they miraculously knocked out Bulawayo Chiefs in the first round by a single goal.
However, this will be a big battle as Herentals are coming from a win against Mutare City Rovers in a league match played on Sunday at Rufaro Stadium.
Herentals coach Kumbirayi Mutiwekuziva is confident his team will cruise all the way to the finals.
Highlanders, who eliminated Yadah Stars in the first round from the competition, face defending champions Harare City at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow (Saturday). It will be a crunch encounter expected to produce fireworks.
As defending champions, the Sunshine Boys will be playing for nothing less than a victory as they are very eager to retain the trophy.
Meanwhile, Triangle United face new boys Nichrut at Gibbo Stadium on Sunday.
They have already beaten the Shurugwi-based side once in a league match. A potent side this season, Triangle are expected to march on to the semi-finals.
Bulawayo giants Highlanders might end Harare City’s dominance in the Chibuku Super Cup following an exciting draw conducted in Harare on Monday.
Harare City and Highlanders will clash at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
Harare City pride themselves as the most successful team in the tournament and would want to maintain that element. The Sunshine Boys will meet Bosso for the third time
Winners of the Chibuku Super Cup will walk away with US$75 000; runners up US$50 000; semi-finalists (two clubs) $25 000; losing quarter-finalists (four clubs) US$15 000; first round losers (eight clubs) US$10 000 while preliminary losers (one club) will pocket US$5 000 and a ticket to play in Africa’s Confederation Cup tournament.
Chibuku Super Cup Quarter-final draw
Saturday
Harare City vs Highlanders (Rufaro)
Chapungu vs CAPS United (Ascot)
Sunday
Dynamos vs Herentals (Rufaro)
Triangle vs Nichrut (Gibbo)
All matches kick off at 3pm.