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Bosso’s representative at the draw Mgcini Mpofu, was excited about the draw which was conducted last night and challenged that they haven’t lost to any team.

“We are happy about the draw. We hope to go all the way to the final and get the prize money.

“The tournament has lots of money. We have faced all the teams and none beat us and we want to prove a point that we are the team to beat,” said Mpofu.

Their opponents, through chairman Moses Shumba, said they can brew a shocker and stun the Bulawayo giants.

“I think it’s a fair draw. We are regarded as a small team and our goal now is to convince everybody that we can beat any team in the league. A cup tournament has no form. We will brew a shocker and Highlanders haven’t lost a match but they won’t carry that form into the Cup game,” said Shumba.

Former cup kings Caps United, for the second year running have found themselves drawn against the league’s giants following their draw against Motor Action, and the tie could be the most tricky assignment in the early round.

Last year, Makepekepe were booted out in the first round by rivals and eventual winners Dynamos and  last night they paid the price for poor performance in the league after the teams were seeded according to current log standings.

Moreso, the draw came on the day Motor Action lost their appeal against Caps United after the Appeals Committee ruled that the walkover result awarded to the Green Machine stands.

It would be a grudge when the two teams meet for the first time this season. Yesterday, Caps United vice president Farai Jere said they welcome the draw and was optimistic they would do well.

“The draw is good for us. There is nothing to complain about as all teams in the Premiership are the same and we will be ready for Motor Action.

“Caps United are always good when it comes to Cup tournaments.

“We cannot talk of being unlucky in the draw after last year’s pairing and this year. At one point we were going to play any of the teams,” said Jere.

Motor Action director Liz Rosen, said her team which lost 0-1 to Dynamos in the final and went on to play in the Caf Confederation Cup on the Mbada ticket, would win the Cup.

“I am happy with the draw. It is a 16-team-tournament and we expected to play anybody. We will definitely win the tournament this time around,” said Rosen.

Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa said they could have wished to play any of the big shots and declared his team will win both the Cup and the league.

“Quelaton is a small team and we will progress to the next round. We would have wanted to meet any of the big teams like Highlanders, Caps United or FC Platinum.

“It is unfortunate for Quelaton. Since we are playing Quelaton, we have no pressure and we have been preparing for this game.

“We are going to repeat what we did last year and we are going to win a double again, the Mbada Cup and the league,” said Mubaiwa.

However, the Bulawayo new boys who were represented at the draw by director Tawanda Ruzive also warned Dynamos that it would not be a stroll in the park.

“It is a Cup game and we expected any one of the top teams. My boys are highly motivated by the money which is in this Cup. Even though they haven’t been doing well in the league we will fight.

“They (Dynamos) should not celebrate or they do so at their own peril,” said Ruzive.
Gunners spokesman Stan Makombe hailed the sponsors Mbada Diamonds for unveiling another lucrative package.

“We are obviously very excited as Mbada has continued to support football in Zimbabwe. Local football is hungry for sponsorship and coming on the backdrop of the Supersport deal this is really encouraging as the league moves towards commercial orientation.

“We will play well and hope to win the Cup. Our current league position cannot be the benchmark. We are playing Chicken Inn and we are optimistic we will go past them,” said Makombe.

Harare City were drawn against FC Platinum in another exciting first round clash and chairman Leslie Gwindi said they are happy.

“We will show up. There will be 11 players against 11 and we can play any team,” said Gwindi.
FC Platinum spokesperson Philemon Muwengwa welcomed the draw but said it would be a tricky tie.

“It is a good draw though Harare City are a very tricky side. We have to be at our best. We have to do better than last year when we finished in the semi-final,” said Muwengwa.

Monomotapa chairman Joseph Mukoki said their consistency has benefited them as they were seeded and are targeting the Cup.

The former champions, who were seeded as the fourth best team, will battle it out against Hardbody.

“God is on our side. I think it is a good draw. I think we have reaped the rewards of consistency and being seeded we avoided the big guns.

“We would not want to go out in the first round. I have always said we have a strong squad and it is up to the coaches to know who to pick.

“The Cup has a big incentive and it solves a lot of problems regarding financial difficulties,” said Mukoki.

Hardbody secretary Talkmore Sibanda said his players were motivated by the money in the tournament and would want to do well.

“We are happy about the draw. We played Monomotapa recently and we drew. We have lots of information on them.

“We hope to do well in the Cup and the players are obviously motivated with the money,” said Sibanda.

Buffaloes official Regai Tsunga said their match against Black Mambas will be a good clash.

“It is an all-forces affair but in a friendly way. I think it’s a fair draw. We have a realistic opportunity of proceeding to the next round.

“We beat them at home in Harare and it is an indicator of our prowess.

“After all we have been doing well in the league especially when playing at home,” said Tsunga.
Black Mambas chairman Mekia Tanyanyiwa said it was also a fair draw for them.

“The draw was very fair for us. We have been playing well of late and my boys are ready to take any other team. The prize money is good and the players would also want to win it,” said Tanyanyiwa.