The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
WHILE the ongoing Chibuku Super Cup competition has not brewed any major shockers, it has nonetheless created some excitement among followers of the local football league.
The country’s only knockout tournament is marking its return this season after it was deferred last year following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic which forced all sporting activities to be paused.
It is serving as a dress rehearsal to prepare for the safe return of the Premiership campaign whose kick-off was also held up following the blanket ban on sports that was aimed at combating the spread of the disease as a containment measure.
With the ball now rolling, resumption of the cup action has brought elation to soccer enthusiasts, some of whom were growing restive.
The Chibuku Super Cup competition has so far panned out as largely expected, with the big boys progressing to the next round.
Traditional heavyweights Dynamos, Highlanders, league holders, FC Platinum, Chicken Inn and ex-champions, Ngezi Platinum Stars are all in the quarter-finals.
Bosso will be out to go all the way, and retain the title, and become the first team to successfully defend the crown since the tournament was reintroduced in 2014, while Madamburo are keen to get it right this time around after agonisingly losing in the 2019 final.
Both platinum miners are fancying their chances of clinching gold for the second time, while Harare City, if they make it into the last eight, will be bidding for a record third title.
All eyes are on DeMbare to see if their imperious form in the tournament can end in glory.
The Harare giants have hardly put a foot wrong and remain unbeaten, comfortably winning their Group One by a country mile.
Former cup kings, CAPS United are the only exception among the heavy hitters, suffering the ignominy of early elimination after their interest in the tournament was ended at the group stage.
Bulawayo City and Whawha found the going tough on their return into the top-flight league after they failed to progress past the same stage.
Debutants Mutare-based correctional services outfit, Tenax suffered a similar fate.
Fellow newboys and uniformed forces outfit, Cranborne Bullets have been the surprise package and topped their Group Three which played its matches at Sakubva Stadium.
It was a rude awakening for another team from the eastern border city– Manica Diamonds– as the Gem Boys did not shine brightly to go beyond the first hurdle.
They missed out on a chance of pocketing US$15 000 guaranteed to those that progressed to the last eight.
With the stage now set for the quarter-finals, the pick of the crop of those fixtures is the duel between Chicken Inn and Ngezi Platinum Stars as well as the titanic clash pitting, FC Platinum and Highlanders.
Not only does winning the prestigious Chibuku Super Cup competition comes with a floating trophy, and US$75 000 prize money for the winners paid in local currency at the prevailing official rate on the day, but the teams are also battling for the ticket to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.
