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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO will host the final of the fifth edition of the Commander ZNA’s Charities Soccer Shield between Highlanders and Caps United later this month.

Speaking after Highlanders’ emphatic 3-0 win over FC Platinum in a semi-final game played at Luveve Stadium on Sunday, the commander of 1 Infantry Brigade Brigadier-General Augustine Chipwere said they were hoping the final can be played at Barbourfields Stadium on March 26.

“We want to thank the people of Bulawayo who came in numbers to watch the Highlanders-FC Platinum game and in the process support the Commander ZNA’s Charities Soccer Shield. The final will be played on March 26 here in Bulawayo,” Chipwere said.

About 4 000 people paid their way into Luveve Stadium to watch the exciting semi-final tie.

The final is likely to draw a bigger crowd, as both Highlanders and league champions Caps United command big followings in the city.

The first edition of the tournament was held in Harare in 2013 and won by Caps United, with the second edition being clinched by FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane in 2014.

Highlanders won the 2015 and 2016 editions in finals played in Harare.

This year’s final between Highlanders and Caf Champions League participants Caps United promises to be a blockbuster.

Caps United booked their place in the final last month by dismissing Harare rivals Dynamos 3-1.

Winners of the final will pocket $12 000 and losing finalists will walk away with $8 000.

Chipwere said they were hoping to raise a sizable amount of money from football matches to donate to the ZNA’s five charity organisations.

They are targeting raising at least $500 000 from all fundraising activities lined up in 2017.

“There are a number of fundraising events that we’re going to hold. We will have a fundraising dinner in Harare next month, followed by two events set for Bulawayo in August. The two fundraising events for Bulawayo are a golf tournament and a dinner. We will cap our fundraising activities with a horse racing event set for October in Harare,” said Chipwere.

Beneficiaries of the ZNA charities are Tsanga Lodge Convalescent Centre in Nyanga, Army Widows and Orphans Benevolent Fund, which caters for the financial needs of widows, widowers and orphans of deceased members.

There is also the ZNA Benevolent Fund aimed at boosting troops’ morale internally and externally, ZNA Schools Welfare Trust Fund, which caters for various schools that fall under the military, and the ZNA Patients Welfare Fund that offers assistance and goodies to members admitted to hospitals and those ill at home.

@ZililoR