Zimpapers Logo

Sports Reporters—
DYNAMOS will be seeking to win a record eighth Independence Cup when they clash with holders and two time winners FC Platinum at the giant National Sports Stadium this afternoon. FC Platinum, who have won the ceremonial cup on two previous occasions through the lottery of penalty shootouts, have already declared their intentions of defending the cup.

This afternoon though, they come up against a side that is yet to taste defeat in the five Castle Lager Premiership matches they have played so far and are themselves keen on reclaiming the Uhuru Cup. The Glamour boys’ last victory was in 2013.

Head coach, David Yogi Mandigora, who was part of the Dynamos squad that won the inaugural Independence Cup in 1983 when they beat arch rivals Highlanders at Rufaro Stadium, said they will play their normal game and strive to get a positive result.

“We respect our opponents but that doesn’t mean we fear them. We will play our usual game,” he said.

Mandigora revealed that he is likely going to rest the Under-23 duo of star defender Blessing Moyo and Carlos Ruzere, who jetted into the country on Monday morning after a successful tour of duty where together with their colleagues booted out Cameroon from the African Games.

“I think they’ve played too many games and the season is still too young. Also missing will be Ocean Mushure and Qadr Amin because of injuries,” said Mandigora. Amin would have met his former paymasters for the first time since joining the Harare side this season. He was part of the FC Platinum lineup that defeated Dynamos in last year’s final.

To book a place in today’s final, Dynamos booted out ZPC Kariba 2-0 on Wednesday while FC Platinum were 6-5 penalty shootout winners over Caps United.

Kugona Kunenge Kudada coach, Norman Mapeza, while admitting that today’s encounter will be a tough one, said they were ready to defend their title.

“Its going to be a tough final. That’s what all cup games are about but the most important thing for us at the moment is that we’ve managed to book our place in the final. We’re fighting for the honours. The motivation is already there because we’ve the cup in our cabinet. What we need is to go out there and fight so that we take it home, but at the end of the day it’s the team that plays well that prevails. There is also an element of luck needed to win a game,” the former Monomotapa and national team coach told our Harare Bureau.

Winners of the cup this afternoon will receive $10,000 while the losing team will walk away with $5,000.

DeMbare’s last triumph in the Uhuru Cup was in 2013 when they beat Highlanders 1-0. Infact Dynamos’ five of their seven wins have come at the expense of Highlanders winning 2-1 in 1983, 2-0 in 1998, 2-1 in 2004, 2-0 in 2010 and 1-0 in 2013.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo soccer enthusiasts are in for a potentially explosive Independence Cup third place play-off thriller at White City Stadium this afternoon where Harare giants Caps United will take on last season’s Premiership runners-up ZPC Kariba.

ZPC Kariba and Caps United are playing in Bulawayo after being knocked out of the final by Dynamos and defending champions – FC Platinum – respectively.

Xolisani Gwesela, the Zifa spokesman challenged sport lovers to come in their numbers for the encounter.“Saturday is a special day in our calendar, which deserves special celebrations and nothing beats the Independence Cup matches set for the day.

“Caps United and ZPC Kariba square off at White City Stadium, the venue for celebrations in Bulawayo. We appeal to the people of Zimbabwe to go to the celebrations and as Zifa we pride ourselves in being part of this august moment by bringing people together through football,” said Gwesela.

What makes tomorrow’s White City clash even more interesting is that memories are still fresh in ZPC Kariba’s squad whose championship hopes were derailed by Caps United who beat them on the last day of last season, handing the title to Dynamos.

It will be revenge time for Saul Chaminuka and his boys.

The Independence Cup third place play-off is also a dress rehearsal for Caps United and ZPC Kariba who will battle it out in a league match next weekend.

Whether the coaches decide to give fringe players a start or go with the regulars, the match at White City Stadium will produce fireworks. Fringe players will want to prove to coaches that they deserve to be given chances.Roderick Mutuma is likely to be in the Caps United squad.

Caps United coach Mark Harrison could rest Young Warriors’ Ronald Pfumbidzai who was part of the national Under-23 team that knocked out Cameroon from the African Games.Dubbed as the Green Machine’s find of the season, Chrispen Machisi, a product of Mpopoma’s Ajax Hotspurs, returns to the ground – White City – which carved his career hoping to lead Caps United to victory.

Ex-Chicken Inn goalkeeper Liberty Chirava, who kept ZPC Kariba’s goal against Dynamos, is familiar with the White City turf and will be hoping for a memorable return to his hometown.

Leading Premiership goalscorer with four goals Raphael Manuvire, Thomas Magorimbo, Russell Madamombe and reigning Soccer Star of the Year Dennis Dauda are expected to be part of ZPC Kariba’s entourage to Bulawayo.

This year’s Independence Day celebrations will be held under the theme: “Zimbabwe @35: Consolidating Unity, Peace and Economic Sovereignty”.

Independence Cup winners since 1983
1983, 1984 (Dynamos), 1986 (Highlanders), 1987 (Black Rhinos), 1988, (Highlanders), 1989 (Zimbabwe Saints), 1990 (Dynamos), 1991(Highlanders), 1992, 1993 (Caps United), 1994 (Chapungu United), 1995 (Dynamos), 1996,1997 (Caps United), 1998 (Highlanders),1999 (AmaZulu),2001,2002 (Highlanders), 2003 (Black Rhinos), 2004 (Dynamos), 2005 (Motor Action), 2006, 2007 (Masvingo United), 2008(Shooting Stars), 2009 (Njube Sundowns),2010(Dynamos), 2011 (Highlanders), 2012 (FC Platinum), 2013 (Dynamos), 2014 (FC Platinum), 2015?