Giants’ Super draw

By The Standard | Oct. 2, 2018 | 3 Min read

GIANTS Dynamos, Caps United and Highlanders avoided each other in the Chibuku Super Cup draw that was conducted in Harare yesterday.

BY KEVIN MAPASURE

Highlanders probably have the toughest draw after they were paired against Harare City while Caps United and Dynamos would be reasonably pleased with the outcome of the draw after being paired against Chapungu and Herentals, respectively.

In the other match, Triangle will take on Nichrut.

The Chibuku Super Cup is probably the least of Dynamos’ worries as they face relegation from the topflight league, but it will still be an important tournament for them as they seek to find form.

DeMbare got to the quarterfinals after knocking out Bulawayo Chiefs with a 1-0 victory at Rufaro Stadium, but they failed to kick on from there, picking just one point from a possible six in the league which has seen them sink into the danger zone.

If they were to escape relegation and also win the Chibuku Super Cup, they would cap a successful season, having been the laughing stock this season.

They face a Herentals side that has proved to be a tough team to play against, with the two having played out a goalless draw in their first league meeting.

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On the other hand, Caps United face Chapungu who are also embroiled in the relegation fight.

The Green Machine will draw confidence from their last performance against the same side, having prevailed with a 2-0 win at Ascot Stadium.

But since then, Chapungu have improved and will be a difficult opponent when the two teams collide.

Lloyd Chitembwe’s side know that the league title has probably eluded them, as they sit 21 points behind log leaders FC Platinum.

It has been a painful season for Caps who have struggled for consistency and have seen the gap between them and the leaders stretching steadily.

They will be focusing their energies on trying to win the cup that has eluded them over the years.

Chapungu made a bold statement of their intention to snatch the cup when they knocked out FC Platinum from the competition.

Highlanders coach Madinda Ndlovu has been trying and failing to convince the Bosso faithfuls to be patient as he rebuilds the team.

While he has been preaching that his team will only be ready to win the league title in three years’ time, he has demanded the Chibuku Super Cup from his charges as he seeks to appease the fans.

The Bulawayo giants are 22 points behind FC Platinum in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League and that gap is too big for a club with so much ambition.

With success in the Chibuku Super Cup, Highlanders can turn a poor season into a successful one.

So far, their 3-0 win over poor Dynamos is all that they have to show.

Triangle will fancy themselves against Nichrut, having already beaten the Shurugwi-based side once in a league match this season.

Nichrut have been a reformed side since the start of the second half of the season, but Triangle have been a potent force this season and are expected to march on to the semi-finals.

Chibuku Super Cup quarterfinals

Harare City v Highlanders (Rufaro), Triangle v Nichrut (Gibbo), Chapungu v Caps United (Ascot), Dynamos v Herentals (Rufaro)