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All eyes on Chibuku

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By Sheldon Hakata

THE battle to represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Confederation Cup continues as the country’s richest football knockout tournament, the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals bursts into life this weekend.
To add flavour to the premiership, Delta Corporation, sponsors of the Chibuku Super Cup have announced that winners of the tournament and the league title will meet in the Castle Lager Challenge Cup.
This is to celebrate the company’s 25 years of existence in the local premiership.
The Castle Lager Challenge Cup will signal the end of the corporate’s silver jubilee season.
The additional cup tournament will be bankrolled to the tune of US$50 000.
Winners will pocket US$30 000 while losing finalists get US$20 000.
The Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals draw was conducted at the Premier Soccer League (PSL) head offices in Harare on Tuesday with some mouthwatering ties expected to add to the drama that has marred the exciting tournament so far.
It will be the battle of the cities after Harare City were paired against Bulawayo City.
Harare City are former winners of the tournament.
After producing a giant killing act, Bulawayo City believes they have what it takes to reach the final of the Chibuku Super Cup.
They sent Dynamos and Yadah packing.
On the other hand, Harare City floored Highlanders in the early stages of the competition.
Rhinos was another victim of the Harare City onslaught in the quarter final of the Chibuku Super Cup at Rufaro Stadium.
In another match, How Mine will tackle either Caps United or Shabanie Mine after the match between the two sides was abandoned due to crowd trouble.
Shabanie were leading 1-0 when CAPS United fans threw missiles onto the pitch after Kudzai Nyamupfukudza’s goal had been disallowed for offside.
The match was called off following crowd trouble at Maglas Stadium.
According to the rules and regulations of the competition, the PSL Ad hoc committee fines and boots out the guilty part.
In this case, CAPS United got the sack.
How Mine spokesperson John Makoni said they are ready to face any team and the draw is fair.
They are confident of reaching the finals.
Said Makoni: “How Mine are a big brand representing a big company Metallion Gold and we want to go all the way.”
Can Shabanie Mine repeat the 2014 scenario when they scooped the BancABC Super8 Cup and left for lower league?
Every team in the league would love to end the season with something, be it the league championship trophy and honours or any other silverware.
This is an opportunity for some of the remaining teams due to their positions on the log standings.
They have to grab the chance.
It is also self-motivating for players and an opportunity to get exposure at a higher level, especially when they get a ticket to play in the CAF Confederation Cup for the winners.
CAPS United played in the Champions League and some of their star players got lucrative deals from foreign clubs.
These are Abbas Amidu, Ronald Chitiyo and Ronald Pfumbidzai.
The tournament can only enhance the players’ chances of furthering their careers outside our borders.
It’s now up to the players to rise, shine and create opportunities for themselves.
The Chibuku Super Cup semi-final matches will be on this Saturday and Sunday.
Chibuku Brand Manager, Karen Dhliwayo called for fair play and good sportsmanship in this cup competition after some disturbing scenes rocked the tournament in previous rounds.
However, three of the remaining four teams in the Chibuku Super Cup competition are fighting on both fronts thus winning the cup and surviving relegation in the league.
Only How Mine is occupying sixth position in the PSL log standings.
The other three have not done well in the league and they would want to redeem themselves in this cup competition.
Harare City (Sunshine Boys) believe their fine run in the Chibuku Super Cup will spur them on.
They now go out in search of a repeat of the 2015 season when they won the tournament.
The Sunshine Boys are one of the dominant teams in the tournament, since its rebirth three years ago.
They are confident of causing tremours again this year after scaling first and second hurdles.
Harare City beat Highlanders 2-1 in the first round.
Progressing to the last eight courtesy of goals from William Manondo and Grey Kufandada in a tension-filled match at Mandava Stadium.
The Sunshine Boys’ fortunes are in sharp contrast with their form in the league, where they are fighting for survival.
They are deep in the relegation matrix with five matches remaining this season.
However, Harare City have done well in this competition over the years.
They have never faltered in the preliminary stages since featuring in the semis of the inaugural edition in 2014 and in the two previous finals.
Harare City are still keen to play in the African Confederations Cup following a disappointing debut in Africa.
Remember, they were eliminated in the first round.

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