The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi’s FOOTY FOOTNOTES
WHILE at the kickoff of the season the 16-team composition of the local Premiership entertained the anticipation of clinching the championship, only a quarter of it remains in contention of salvaging their Castle dreams into Chibuku prospects. Even though there were some favourites, all clubs stood an equal chance of grabbing silverware but others fell by the wayside over the course of the marathon.
And with both the Castle Lager Premiership and Chibuku Super Cup competitions reaching their rewarding conclusions, the men are separating themselves from boys. Curiously, the last men standing in the knockout tournament have not stood as tall for the title tilt.
Highlanders, Ngezi Platinum Stars, ZPC Kariba and Triangle/Harare City — the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finalists — are virtually out of running for the championship trophy but still in with a huge shout for the domestic game’s cup honours, while league pacesetters CAPS United, Chicken Inn and FC Platinum have been eliminated from the latter. Only ZPC Kariba – if they manage to sneak in and steal a march on the log leaders — have a remote but mathematical chance of winning a domestic double, however. This would be historic as no team has accomplished a similar feat.
The last quarter-final tie pitting Triangle and Harare City, meanwhile, has been deferred owing to the reigning champions’ participation in the CAF Confederation Cup. Interestingly, the Sugar Sugar Boys will seek to defend their crown while the Sunshine Boys are out to maintain their esteemed status as the most successful team in the tournament, having triumphed in 2017 and 2015 before losing two other finals (2018 and 2014).
While two of the confirmed last four (Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum Stars) have endured largely underwhelming campaigns on the league front they have kept their eyes on the ball in the cup tournament, providing a silver lining to the dark cloud that has been their seasons thus far. Having failed to pull their weight in the marathon, they are keen to shoot from the hip and stage a super Chibuku smash-and-grab. A podium finish and gold medal in the knockout competition will, therefore, come as no scant consolation to save their respective faltering seasons and missing out on the top accolade in the land.
Besides the monetary prizes, glory in both competitions carries tickets for winners to contest in the African safari through the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
While taking swigs of Castle Lager conjures prestige, gulping Chibuku Super has some splendour of its own! And as it all comes together with a Castle Lager, that beer balanced to perfection, it is also super with Chibuku!
Meanwhile, we have to drink responsibly for alcohol may be hazardous to health if consumed in excess and the operation of machinery under its influence is not advisable. Its sale to persons under the age of 18 is also prohibited.
Whose Castle or Chibuku will this be?
Cheers to the champions!
If it is about football that you care let’s share the cheer because we are made for the game, mad about the game!
Feedback:
Hooliganism has no place in our game. As we enter the last matches of the Castle Lager Premiership, referees should be impartial. Fans also need to always respect the match officials’ decisions and lodge any complaints after matches. – Tawanda Mhlanga, Dangamvura.
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