Shabanie, FC Platinum Clash in Banc-ABC Cup Final

HARARE —  A carnival atmosphere is set to engulf Zvishavane on Saturday when the football family descends on the town for the Banc-ABC Super8 Cup final between FC Platinum and Shabanie Mine.

This is the first time that two teams from a small town are meeting in such a prestigious cup final and the Premier Soccer League has cancelled all league matches lined up for this weekend to allow the football family to make the trip to Mandava Stadium and watch the cup final.

The two teams have promised the fans a memorable cup final with FC Platinum assistant coach Masimba Dinyero saying his team will not disappoint.

Dinyero says it has been long since they have been in a cup final, adding that his young team is eager to make the best out of the opportunity that has come its way.

Shabanie Mine coach Luke Masomere admits that they are going into the match as underdogs. He, however, has been quick to point out that this could turn out to be their year saying his players will try their best to win.

Masomere says it is common knowledge that FC Platinum have all the money in the world but adds that his team are going into the match to show that money cannot buy everything.

The winning team will take home $120,000 after Shabanie Mine bundled out Dynamos 4-3 on penalties in the semi-finals while FC Platinum got the better of Monomotapa 3-1 to guarantee themselves of their second ever cup final.

A closer look at both teams confirms that FC Platinum who have an array of national team stars, among them Nelson Mazivisa, Donald Ngoma, and Charles Sibanda, are the odds on favourites to win the game.

However, when the two teams met in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter, Shabanie beat their neighbours 1-0 and Masomere has warned the same could happen.