BELEAGUERED Harare giants Dynamos will have to wait a little longer to begin their title defence of the country’s premier knockout competition, the Chibuku Super Cup, with the date for the first round fixture clashing with the club’s opening Confederation of African Football (Caf) Confederation Cup match.
According to the Chibuku Super Cup draw held in Harare yesterday, the first round matches of the competition will kick off on the weekend of August 17 and 18, with the Glamour Boys pitted against ZPC Kariba.
It is on the same weekend that Dynamos are scheduled to play Zambian side Zesco United FC in the first leg of their Caf Confederation Cup first preliminary round tie on August 18 at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone.
The Chibuku Super Cup kicks off on Wednesday next week with the two preliminary round matches involving the four bottom-placed sides on the log standing.
TelOne FC will face Arenel Movers, while Chegutu Pirates entertain Hwange. Both matches will be played at Mandava Stadium.
There are some interesting duels in the first round draw, notably Simba Bhora hosting Herentals FC at Wadzanai Stadium and Caps United playing bogey side Bikita Minerals.
Over the past decade, the Chibuku Super Cup has provided emerging talent a platform to shine and established stars to reaffirm their status.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s edition of the competition, Premier Soccer League president Farai Jere expressed confidence that the tournament will be bigger and better this year.
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“Last year, we had a thrilling final between league champions Ngezi Platinum Stars and Dynamos FC and in the end, it was Dynamos who emerged victorious. Winning their first Chibuku Super Cup title trophy earned them a place in the Caf Confederation Cup, where they will have a chance to showcase Zimbabwean football to the continent,” he said.
“A total of 33 goals were scored and over 30 000 fans attended the matches. We are confident that we will surpass those figures this year because of the increased number of stadiums hosting our matches.
“Even the attendance in league matches [has increased] because our football has really spread out. We are confident that we will double those figures this year.”
Delta Corporation general manager-sorghum beer Marshall Pemhiwa also predicted a thrilling competition this year.
“As Chibuku, we are proud to consistently support soccer, a sport that enables us to engage with our customers and nurture the spirit of comradeship Last year, we predicted an exhilarating final and it lived up to its billing,” Pemhiwa said.
“Congratulation to Dynamos on winning last year’s edition of the Chibuku Super Cup. This year, we anticipate even more excitement and great opportunity for interaction with our customers.”
The quarter finals of the competition are set for September 21 to 22, with the last-four stage scheduled for October 26 to 27
The final will take place on November 30.
Chibuku Super Cup First Round Draw
FC Platinum v TelOne/Arenel Movers; Manica Diamonds v Chegutu Pirates/ Hwange; Ngezi Platinum Stars v Bulawayo Chiefs; Simba Bhora v Herentals FC; Bosso v GreenFuel FC, Dynamos v ZPC Kariba; Bikita Minerals v CAPS United; Chicken Inn v Yadah FC.
