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Fungai Muderere, [email protected]

BULAWAYO Chiefs head coach, Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda says they will not bury their heads between their shoulders ahead of their re-arranged Chibuku Super Cup first-round match against last year’s losing finalists, Ngezi Platinum Stars set for Mhondoro’s Baobab Stadium this afternoon.

The cup’s contest, Amakhosi Amahle and Madamburo, was postponed owing to the latter’s involvement in the Caf Champions League contest where their sojourn in the continent’s top-tier club race suffered a stillbirth as they were kicked out of the competition by Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) side As Maniema.

“While I admit it will be difficult to play them at Baobab Stadium, a venue they are now used to, we will definitely come out with a number of strategies to beat them. It’s a cup game and we are going to give a fight. We will go for it with all the confidence,” said Sibanda.

With Ngezi Platinum Stars likely to welcome their head coach Takesure Chiragwi, striker Obriel Chirinda and holding midfielder Richard Hachiro who were with the senior national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group J matches against Kenya and Cameroon that were played in Uganda, Sibanda said: “We are not intimidated at all, we are looking forward to facing a full strength Ngezi Platinum Stars squad.”

Seven outfits that include Highlanders, the cup’s defending champions Dynamos, FC Platinum, CAPS United, Yadah Stars, Manica Diamonds and Simba Bhora have already progressed to the quarter-final stage.

The bulk of the cup’s first-round matches were played in August and the quarter-final ties, whose draw will be conducted tomorrow in Harare, are scheduled for the weekend of September 21 to 22.

The semi-finals are slated for the weekend of October 26 to 27 and the final match will be played on November 30 at a venue yet to be announced.

On their way to reaching the Chibuku Super Cup last eight, Bosso walloped Greenfuel three nil courtesy of strikes by Melikhaya Ncube, Nqobile Ndlovu and Marvelous Chigumira.

DeMbare thumped ZPC Kariba 3-1. Donald Mudadi, Emmanuel Paga and Normore Chinyerere were all on target for the Glamour Boys while Nyasha Gurende got the consolation goal for the power generators.

Pure Platinum Play edged TelOne 1-0 with Oscar Bhebhe finding the back of the net.

Makepekepe got the better of Bikita Minerals on a similar score-line while Yadah Stars eliminated Chicken Inn 5-4 on penalties.

The Miracle Boys and Gamecocks had played a one-all draw in normal time with Blessed Ndereki and Brighton Makopa scoring for the two sides respectively.

To proceed to the next round, Manica Diamonds thumped Chegutu Pirates 3-0 in a game, in which Charles Teguru grabbed a brace before dreadlocked Evans Katema weighed in with a single goal.

PSL log leaders, Simba Bhora accounted for Herentals College after a penalty lottery that ended 4-3. The two outfits had remained tied nil all in regulation time.

The Glamour Boys were the 2023 Chibuku Super Cup Champions after they saw off the Ngezi Platinum challenge at Baobab Stadium. It was a deserved victory for Dynamos as defending league champions, Ngezi Platinum never rose to the occasion on the day.

The Chibuku Super Cup, which is the country’s biggest knock-out tournament, was a befitting finish to the year as DeMbare were celebrating their 60th anniversary.—@FungaiMuderere