HARARE City coach Moses Chunga will draw inspiration from Portugal’s Euro 2016 final triumph over France when they take on-song Highlanders in the ZNA Charities Shield final at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
BY HENRY MHARA
Highlanders, the defending champions, will start the match as clear favourites based on their current form in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League where they are log toppers. In contrast, Chunga’s men have been huffing and puffing and are a distant eighth, 10 points behind Bosso. However, the Sunshine City Boys cannot be underestimated because this competition represents a good opportunity for them to claim some silverware.
The Dynamos legend admits his side will carry the underdog tag into the match, but says his squad will draw inspiration from Portugal’s Euro 2016 exploits, where they defied the odds to win the tournament.
“League form doesn’t count here, it’s a cup competition so it’s just 90 minutes and possibly extra time and it’s done,” Chunga said at a Press conference yesterday.
“You should rewind a little bit to the Euros and see how Portugal won the competition, no one gave them a chance, but they went on to win the cup. I have experienced guys, some have played in cup finals before and others have won the league championship, so we are very calm.”
Despite the finals being played in Highlanders’ backyard, Chunga is unmoved by the prospect of facing a bumper crowd at BF. “I’m very comfortable playing anywhere in Zimbabwe, like the competition name suggests that it’s a national cup, not for Harare only. It’s for ‘all-body’,” he quipped.
Ahead of the match, City have been rocked by the news that their star player Raphael Manuvire wants out with reports linking him with Caps United and Dynamos.
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However, the club yesterday said the midfielder, who joined at the start of the season, had not made any transfer request.
Organisers of the tournament have said all is set for the competition, whose proceeds will go towards charity.
They are targeting to raise at least $25 000 from the match.
“We are very happy with the preparations, everything is set for the tournament. As the army, we are known for meticulous planning, and every detail has been taken into consideration. We are ready and raring to go. It’s a charity game and the proceeds will go to five charity institutions that we take care of,” Lieutenant-Colonel Fabion Chitungo said at the same Press conference.
He added: “We have seen a phenomenal growth in this tournament both in terms of size and objective, being to fundraise money for charity. We have managed to meet the target of what the Commander had set for us to raise.”
The winners of the Sunday match will receive $12 000, while the losers will get an $8 000 consolation.
