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Erol Akbay

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS’ talisman Bruce Kangwa, away on trials in Tanzania, says his spirit will be with his Bosso teammates when they take on Harare City in the final of the ZNA Commanders’ Charity Shield at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.

Kangwa is on trials with mega rich Tanzanian side Azam and will miss tomorrow’s final whose winner will pocket $12,000 while the losing side gets $8,000.

A bumper crowd is expected at Emagumeni and there is no guessing that the majority of them will be rooting for Amahlolanyama all the way as the Erol Akbay coached boys try to defend the Shield they won last year at the expense of perennial rivals Dynamos.

“I will not be there in the final but I want to wish my teammates all the best and to also let them know that my spirit will be with them from the first whistle right up to the final and of course by then, the job would have been done,” said Kangwa, who left the country on Tuesday after propelling Highlanders to the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table with a 63rd minute goal past big Caps United goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda.

In the absence of Kangwa, coach Akbay might bring in experienced Ralph Matema to partner rookie but deadly Prince Dube but judging by last week’s selection, the Dutchman might spring another surprise and throw in another untested youngster into the deep end.

Controversial coach Moses Chunga has already stoked fires ahead of the encounter by declaring that they were looking at nothing short of victory in the final.

“We are ready to face Highlanders. We have been preparing hard and I should say we are going to approach this game with a positive mind and we want to come out tops,” he said.

The Sunshine Boys mentor said he has enough arsenal to do the job on Sunday and fans should expect a thriller.

“This is a cup final that I am looking forward to win at all costs.

“I am going to field a strong team to win the trophy. My players are eager to lay their hands on the first silverware this season,” Chunga said.

However, Akbay is also a man on a mission and hungry for success.

“I want to win that cup, make no mistake about it, we prepared hard for it and we feel we are ready,” he said.

Akbay said he will miss his talisman, Kangwa, who is out in Tanzania attending trials with Azam.

“Bruce will definitely be missed but we have to move on,” he said.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Fabion Chitungo (Staff Officer Grade1 — Charities), the army is expecting to raise at least $30 000 from tomorrow’s match and proceeds will go to charity.

“We are counting on the support of the people,” said Chitungo.

Gate charges have been pegged at $3 for the rest of the ground, $5 Wings and $10 VVIP.

The ZNA has five charities which include the Tsanga Lodge Convalescent Centre in Nyanga for the rehabilitation of injured members of the uniformed forces. There is also the ZNA Benevolence Fund for the welfare of troops on internal, external and international operations. It also runs a schools welfare trust for its five secondary and 12 primary schools. The other ZNA Charity is the Widows and Orphans which takes care of the widows and widowers of the soldiers before they receive terminal benefits.