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Bob90 Super Cup raises stink

Sport
THERE is a general feeling that the organisers of the Bob Super Cup competition always want to ensure Dynamos reach the finals of this competition.

THERE is a general feeling that the organisers of the Bob Super Cup competition always want to ensure Dynamos reach the finals of this competition.

HENRY MHARA

This year’s edition, the Bob90 Super Cup, which has been set for February 16 and 23, will involve three teams — Harare City, Highlanders and Dynamos, who are the defending champions.

However, Dynamos have been given a bye in the initial stages and will wait to face the winner between Highlanders and Harare City in the final.

City and Bosso face each other in a one-off match at Bulawayo’s Barbourfields Stadium on February 16.

The winner of that match will head to Harare were they will meet the defending champions at Rufaro Stadium seven days later.

During a Press conference to announce the dates of the tournament yesterday, journalists questioned why Dynamos has been “propelled” into the final.

Tournament spokesperson Charles Mabika had difficulties explaining the constant changes to the format, which has in all instances, appeared to favour the Harare giants.

He said as the defending champions, Dynamos should be given a chance to defend their title, a justification which was recieved with huge groans from the audience.

Last year, the organisers handpicked Dynamos and Highlanders to play in the final over two legs, which the later went on to win 6-1 on aggregate.

In 2012, four teams — Dynamos, Motor Action, Hwange and eventual winners FC Platinum— were involved in this tournament. Dynamos, arguably the biggest crowd puller in the local league, were knocked out in the first round, a situation which reportedly incensed the organisers.

Threats were reportedly issued to Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa for using a “weak side” for the match.

In 2011, when the tournament started, it featured Dynamos and Caps United, with the former winning 3-2.

The tournament is played to celebrate President’s Robert Mugabe’s birthday. The President turns 90 on February 21.

The prize money for the tournament will be revealed during a launch-dinner at the end of this month.

Dynamos received $110 000 for winning the cup last year while Highlanders received $70 000.

Mabika said the Highlanders-City duel will be curtain raised by a match between Zimbabwe Soccer Legends and the Mighty Warriors players based in the country’s southern region. The final match will be curtain-raised by the Mighty Warriors, who will play Members of Parliament.

Besides this curtain raiser’s match, there will also be a game between a schools select team from the southern region and their northern region counterparts.