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Thulani Sibanda

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
TALEN Vision players will share the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Invitational Cup prize money should they beat Southern Region Division One League champions Bulawayo Chiefs in today’s final at Luveve Stadium.

The winners of the $10 000 Trukumb Mining Enterprises-sponsored tournament will walk away with $2 400 with the runners up getting $1 500.

Talen Vision were disqualified in the second round of the same competition last year for using players registered after the transfer window.

Mishon Tsabalaka, the Talen Vision secretary, said they had decided to honour the players’ run in the tournament by giving them the prize money to share.

“We’re looking forward to a good final and the players understand what’s at stake. We’re going to give them the prize money to share. Hopefully we will claim the trophy and looking at the way we’ve been playing, we’re confident of upsetting Bulawayo Chiefs,” Tsabalaka said.

On their way to the final, Talen Vision beat army side Indlovu Iyanyathela 2-1 in the first round and cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Bulawayo Under-20 Select in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Talen Vision will bank on their Nigerian strikers Amos Adesemi Layode and Osi Miniru Mande, central defender Mongameli Ndlovu, goalkeeper Emmanuel Dare and attacking midfielder Brendon Moyo. They also have experienced former Bantu Rovers left winger Emberson Tshuma, Velile Sibanda and Adonice Nyoni, who have been key figures during their campaign.

Bulawayo Chiefs, who beat Talen Vision by identical 1-0 score lines in the league, said they are ready for their opponents.

“Our objective was to win the league title and winning the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Invitational Cup will be a bonus for us. We know Talen Vision have been playing well and will be out to avoid losing to us for the third time this season. We’re ready for them,” said Thulani Sibanda, the Bulawayo Chiefs coach.

Bulawayo Chiefs beat ZPC Hwange 5-4 after penalty shoot-outs in the first round. The two sides had deadlocked 1-1 in regulation time.

Premiership bound Bulawayo Chiefs went on to hammer Matabeleland North Under-20 Select 4-1 in the semi-finals.

The league champions will bank on attacking midfielders Arthur Musiiwa and Perfect Chikwende, skipper Kundishora Chakanyuka, central midfielder Gracious Mleya, defender Sikhumbulani Dube and utility player Moses Majika to lead them to silverware. — @ZililoR.