DEFENDER Patson Jaure, midfielder Walter Mukanga and forward Kelvin Bulaji have all recovered from injuries to boost Ngezi Platinum Stars in their bid to win their first piece of silverware when they clash with FC Platinum in the Chibuku Super Cup final set for Baobab Stadium this afternoon.
BY HENRY MHARA
The match kicks off at 2pm.
Jaure missed the team’s league encounter against Hwange last week as he was nursing an injury he picked in the match against FC Platinum. He played carrying the injury against Highlanders in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final, but Ndiraya couldn’t take the risk with him at the Colliery.
Mukanga and Bulaji picked knocks in the match against Hwange and missed the team’s training sessions at the beginning of the week.
There were genuine fears that the former Dynamos trio would miss today’s match, but Ndiraya told NewsDaySport yesterday that they had all trained with the rest of the squad since Wednesday and were available for selection.
The bad news in their camp is that defender Byron Madzokere is suspended and will not take part.
“They are all looking better and they should be all involved. Patson missed our last match and we are happy with his recovery progress. With Madzokere unavailable, we don’t have much of a choice but to select him,” Ndiraya said.
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“We have prepared well for this match. Our aim at the start of the tournament was to reach the final and we are here so we are now we are going for the Cup. There is just so much excitement in camp and we are worried as the technical team that the players are getting over-excited.”
He added: “We are playing in a major cup final for the first time and to make it even more special, we are playing it at our home ground. We will do our best not to disappoint our supporters.”
The winners of the final will pocket $75 000, and a ticket to represent the country in the Caf Confederations Cup next season.
Three of Ngezi Platinum players are also in the running for the Chibuku Super Cup top goalscorer award, which has some rich pickings.
The team’s instrumental captain, Liberty Chakoroma, who scored the only goal as they beat Highlanders, as well as Terrance Dzvukamanja and Donald Teguru, are among the leading goalscorers, with two goals each.
Other candidates for the top goalscorer award, with two goals each, are Harare City’s William Manondo and FC Platinum’s Charles Sibanda.
FC Platinum won this competition two years ago and they know the benefits that come with success.
The Zvishavane-based side still have a chance of winning the league title, sitting second on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log, two points behind Caps United, with two matches to play.
Their camp has not been very forthcoming with the media in recent weeks with coach Norman Mapeza and his assistant Patrick Mandizha not answering their mobile phones.
But they too will be under pressure to win this competition as they league title is not in their hands.
They have an array of stars that can help them to glory with forwards Walter Musona and Rodwell Chinyengetere both in line for selection.
