Zimpapers Logo

Philani Ncube

Grace Chingoma, Harare Bureau
HARARE City have stoked flames in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals saying they would be guaranteed a place in the final should they draw How Mine in the last four.

The two teams became the first two teams to progress after the Sunshine Boys edged Black Rhinos 1-0 at Rufaro while How Mine got the better of Chapungu at Ascot on Saturday.

Coach Philani “Beefy’’ Ncube, a former How Mine coach, boldly declared that he was not scared of the 2013 Mbada Diamonds Cup finalists.

Bulawayo City also made the last four after ending brave Yadah’s campaign with a 1-0 win in Bulawayo courtesy of a late goal by Ishamel Wadi.

The forward struck with six minutes of the contest left.

The match between Caps United and Shabanie was abandoned with the asbestos miners leading the giants 1-0.

“If I get How Mine fine, I am in the final. How Mine, we can play them wherever, in Kariba or Chisumbanje I am not worried. The moment we took the lead you could see the attitude in the players that let’s defend,” said Ncube.

Since the reintroduction of the tournament in 2014, Harare City have made it into the semi-finals in every edition and won the Cup in 2015 after controversially missing out the previous year.

“It’s putting me under pressure coaching a team which has gone to the finals twice. I don’t want to be the coach who finished in the semi-final. We will have to go and correct one or two things.

“It is technical. If you play a technical coach it will also make you think. I am not saying other coaches are not technically good,” said Ncube.

With Harare City seeking to become the first team to win the Cup twice, How Mine are also excited with a semi-final berth.

Coach Kelvin Kaindu, who has won the Mbada Diamonds with Highlanders before, said they were focusing on the next game.

“It is good that we have progressed, especially after difficult matches against Bantu Rovers and Chapungu.

“We have to focus on the semi-final.

“All the teams are competitive and every opponent is tough.

“We will not choose to meet or avoid any team. It is still a bit early to talk about reaching the final,’’ said Kaindu.