Zimpapers Logo

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS and Dynamos have encouraged their supporters to select the best 18 players that they believe will represent them well at an invitational tournament set for Francistown Sports Complex, Botswana next month.

Speaking on the sidelines of the second launch of the inaugural Supa Power Cup tournament in Bulawayo yesterday, Bosso and DeMbare officials were optimistic that the fans will choose deserving players.

Bosso and DeMbare were invited for the Supa Power Cup to be held on August 19 in Francistown and the tournament will feature former Botswana champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Tafic Sporting Club.

Teams and line-ups will be chosen by fans through a public voting system along the lines of the Carling Black Label Cup that features South African giants Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

The teams and line-ups for the Carling Black Label Cup are chosen by Carling Black Label customers, who submit an 11-digit code found on Carling Black Label products and have their vote registered. Customers also choose which substitutions to make in-game by voting via text message.

Dynamos and Highlanders were set to get a percentage of the money generated from the SMSes.

Modern Ngwenya, acting Highlanders chairman said: “This is a unique tournament because it’s not the coaches who select the players but the fans. It is my hope that the Highlanders fans will select youngsters that haven’t seen game time so that they (youngsters) show at the tournament what they are made of.

They can even use the tournament to launch their first team careers.”

Ngwenya added: “We respect all our opponents and we hope to meet Dynamos in the final because we’ve got a score to settle. Remember our match in Zimbabwe was settled in the board room so we want to go and play 90 minutes in Botswana and settle matters, show who the big and better team is outside the borders.”

Graham Mafoko, marketing and sponsorship executive in the Dynamos board said they appreciate the gesture extended by Joy Foundation to take part at this tournament.

“The format is fair and I think the club will generate some revenue through the sms system. We encourage our followers to vote in numbers and as many times as possible because part of the revenue from the smses will go to the club. The good thing is that selection is supporters driven and the supporters who’ve been following the team know the players that have been in terrific form.

“As Dynamos we take this tournament seriously and we give it the respect it deserves. We’re going to send all our registered players and we trust that the supporters will select the best players to compete in Botswana,” said Mafoko.

In the draw conducted last week at the Blue Jacket Plaza Parking Space in Francistown, Highlanders were drawn to face  Mochudi Centre Chiefs while their Harare rivals Dynamos will take on Tafic with the winners coming head to head in the final.

The 18 players selected per team will get an appearance fee of P5 000.

“We’re ready for the tournament and back home in Botswana the fans are really looking forward to the tournament. We’re waiting for the mobile network operator to give us a number that fans can use to vote here in Zimbabwe. Hopefully by end of the weekend the number will be out.

“About the prizes, there is no prize money for the participating teams with clubs set to get a share from the revenue generated from the sms platforms. The players will each get P5 000,” said Joy Setshedi, the founder of Joy Foundation Sports Development.

Meanwhile, Bushy Moswate, Tafic chairman promised to give Dynamos a good run for their money.

“Dynamos are a big team but we’re going to give them a good fight. The fact that we’ve just returned to the Premiership doesn’t mean we’re not organised. We will not let our supporters down and even though we face Dynamos as underdogs, that doesn’t mean we will be pushovers,” Moswate said.

Chris Molomo, Mochudi Centre Chiefs chairman said: “This is a great opportunity for all the four teams to know each other and create alliances that will improve the clubs. We promise Highlanders a good beating because we’re a strong team and even though we had difficulties last season, we’re still a strong side.”

Bulawayo Mayor Martin Moyo attended yesterday’s launch. — @ZililoR