AN intense battle for supremacy is on at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon when FC Platinum and Monomotapa clash in a BancABC Sup8r Cup semi-final encounter. Report by Sukoluhle Mthethwa
The winners of today’s match will clash with the winner of the other semi-final tie between Dynamos and Shabanie Mine set for Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
BancABC has put a huge purse of $120 000 for the winners of this year’s competition — an amount which is likely to create stiff competition in the semi-final ties. FC Platinum coach Lloyd Mutasa yesterday told NewsDay that they are ready for today’s encounter.
“It’s a cup game, the past does not count. It is a new game and we have to treat our opponents with respect. We believe that we have done enough for us as an institution to cruise through to the final. However, Monomotapa are equally a good side. Every coach would want to win this game,” he said.
Mutasa said the fact that they had a feel of the match venue on Wednesday will also assist them as they go into today’s tie.
“We trained at Barbourfields on Wednesday and that could help us as we go into tomorrow’s (today’s) match. If we implement what we were doing at training, then we should have a good match. All the players are available although Ali Sadiki is still undergoing assessment,” said the former Dynamos coach.
Monomotapa coach Biggie Zuze said: “In all the matches we have been playing, we have been coming in as underdogs. We have been playing very well, but good results have not been coming. We have been preparing very well for FC Platinum and we are very happy that all our injured players have recovered.
“Morale is high and the boys know what is at stake and the importance of the game. The best for us is to get into the final. We have been struggling financially and that will definitely cushion us. We are not taking anything away from FC Platinum, they are a good side.”
