HARARE —
The football family will this week shifts its focus from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League to the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-finals where potential thrillers are on the cards.
Thousands of football fans are expected to throng Mandava Stadium and the National Sports Stadium for the mouth-watering Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-finals in which Highlanders face Harare City and Caps United host How Mine.
What is making the semi-finals more interesting is the fact that there are two teams from Bulawayo and two teams from Harare, meaning either the two Harare teams or the two teams from Bulawayo could meet in the final.
Perhaps the scenario could be different, which could see one team from each of the two cities clashing for the title in the $1 million competition.
The Premier Soccer League have drawn their fixtures in such a way that the semi-finals will not be played on the same day, Setting the ball rolling is the game at Mandava Stadium tomorrow featuring Highlanders and Harare City.
When the two teams met in a league game at Barbourfields Stadium, the Sunshine City Boys were humbled 2-0 but coach Bigboy Mawiwi says that is now history, adding that they are not scared of the Bulawayo giants.
Harare City captain Godfrey Nguwodzawo is also unfazed about facing Bosso.
But Highlanders vice chairman Mixen Mpofu says of all the four team still left in the tournament, they are happy to be meeting Harare City.
At the National Sports Stadium, Caps United are hoping to complete a double over How Mine. Only last week at the same venue, the Green Machine rolled over the miners 1-0 and the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Joe Makuvire, is banking on the team’s home advantage.
But How Mine have been the surprise package of the tournament. They sensationally knocked out defending champions Dynamos 1-0 at Rufaro Stadium and club secretary Mlondoza Nkomo is clear about their mission. “We need to win this game.”
But prominent football supporter, Chris Romario Musekiwa who is a Dynamos fan, offers an independent view.
With the Premier Soccer League in consultation with their sponsors having stuck to the modest gate charges of $1, the soccer venues should be full to capacity for the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-finals.
But one thing for sure is that the trophy will have new takers this year.
Thousands of football fans are expected to throng Mandava Stadium and the National Sports Stadium for the mouth-watering Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-finals in which Highlanders face Harare City and Caps United host How Mine.
What is making the semi-finals more interesting is the fact that there are two teams from Bulawayo and two teams from Harare, meaning either the two Harare teams or the two teams from Bulawayo could meet in the final.
Perhaps the scenario could be different, which could see one team from each of the two cities clashing for the title in the $1 million competition.
The Premier Soccer League have drawn their fixtures in such a way that the semi-finals will not be played on the same day, Setting the ball rolling is the game at Mandava Stadium tomorrow featuring Highlanders and Harare City.
When the two teams met in a league game at Barbourfields Stadium, the Sunshine City Boys were humbled 2-0 but coach Bigboy Mawiwi says that is now history, adding that they are not scared of the Bulawayo giants.
Harare City captain Godfrey Nguwodzawo is also unfazed about facing Bosso.
But Highlanders vice chairman Mixen Mpofu says of all the four team still left in the tournament, they are happy to be meeting Harare City.
At the National Sports Stadium, Caps United are hoping to complete a double over How Mine. Only last week at the same venue, the Green Machine rolled over the miners 1-0 and the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Joe Makuvire, is banking on the team’s home advantage.
But How Mine have been the surprise package of the tournament. They sensationally knocked out defending champions Dynamos 1-0 at Rufaro Stadium and club secretary Mlondoza Nkomo is clear about their mission. “We need to win this game.”
But prominent football supporter, Chris Romario Musekiwa who is a Dynamos fan, offers an independent view.
With the Premier Soccer League in consultation with their sponsors having stuck to the modest gate charges of $1, the soccer venues should be full to capacity for the Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-finals.
But one thing for sure is that the trophy will have new takers this year.