THE draw for the $500 000 Chibuku Super Cup was conducted in Harare last night with the big three Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United getting tricky opponents.
HENRY MHARA
The top eight teams as of Week 15 of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) — Highlanders, ZPC Kariba, Dynamos, Caps United, Hwange, Buffaloes, FC Platinum and How Mine — were seeded and were paired against the bottom eight as of mid-season.
Winners will get $75 000, while the losing finalist will take home $50 000.
Semi-finalists will be $25 000 richer, quarter-finalists $20 000 and first round losers will get $15 000. Individual awards will be announced today.
Dynamos were drawn against Black Rhinos, who are on the ascendancy; Highlanders will face Shabanie Mine, Caps United were paired against Chapungu, while ZPC Kariba will face Harare City in potentially dicey matches that could produce shock results.
Struggling Bulawayo sides How Mine and Chicken Inn will clash in the first round of the matches, while FC Platinum do battle against Bantu Rovers. Buffaloes have a date against Chiredzi, while Hwange will take on Triangle.
Venues for the games will be announced in due course, but games kick off next weekend.
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Maxen Karombo, the Delta marketing executive director, pleaded with the PSL to protect their investment in football: “We invested in football in this country and we expect football to promote and protect our brand. I hope this is not the last time we are seeing Chibuku. The PSL should protect this delicate baby.
“It’s not just about football, but we also cater for our consumers and supporters. Consumers stand a chance to win minibuses in competitions throughout the tourney.”
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said it was their responsibility to protect and promote the brand.
“It is a tournament that evokes great memories thanks to our all-weather friends Delta Beverages. It is our responsibility to protect and promote the brand through the media and in our promotions. We are looking forward to a good tournament and I am wishing all the time 16 PSL teams all the best,” Ndebele said.
PSL chairman Twine Phiri and his deputy Peter Dube, Mbada Diamonds corporate services executive George Manyaya, whose company also sponsors a 16-team tournament, Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze, communications manager Xolisani Gwesela and board member John Phiri were present at the function. From Parliament, former Warriors manager Chris Chitindi, Oliver Mandipaka and Ray Kazembe were present.
The tournament, which was one of the biggest cup competitions in the 70s and early 80s, is being bankrolled to the tune of $500 000 by the league’s sponsors, Delta Beverages. It is part of the three-year deal between Delta and the PSL which is worth $3,6 million.
The deal translates to $1,2 million per season, broken down into $700 000 for the league and $500 000 for the 16-team knockout tournament.
The first round of the matches is scheduled for the weekend of August 16-17 with the quarter-finals set for September 12-24. Initially, the matches had been pencilled for May and August, but a congested fixtures programme has seen it being pushed further.
It will be the second knockout competition for the PSL this year following the kick-off of the One Wallet Cup last month which involves eight teams who finished in the top eight on the log standings in the last term.
Full Draw: Highlanders vs Shabanie Mine, ZPC Kariba vs Harare City, Dynamos vs Black Rhinos, Caps United vs Chapungu, Hwange vs Triangle, Buffaloes vs Chiredzi FC, FC Platinum vs Bantu Rovers, How Mine vs Chicken Inn
