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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League takes a break this coming weekend as focus shifts to the Chibuku Super Cup first round ties.

The draw for the tournament, which celebrates its eighth anniversary this year, was conducted in Harare last month, with some exciting match-ups.

Traditional giants avoided colliding in the early rounds, as the tournament returned to the traditional knock-out format, with the top 14 teams, as of Week 17, automatically qualifying for the first round draw.

The preliminary round played at Mandava Stadium a fortnight ago saw Cranborne Bullets draw 1-1 with Whawha before the latter won 8-7 on penalties.

Whawha’s opponents in the first round are Dynamos.

ZPC Kariba took on Bulawayo City, with the match ending in a 0-0 stalemate before Kauya Katuruturu won 4-1 on penalties.

According to the draw conducted two weeks ago, ZPC Kariba will face off against Bulawayo Chiefs in the first round.

Having played the same opponents in the league on Sunday and lost 1-0, ZPC Kariba coach Rodwell Dhlakama is concerned with the distance his team has to travel.

“We are killing the players. Those in charge need to sit down and try and look into these things that we are complaining about.

It’s not upon us, it’s upon them. It’s not a secret that we travelled to Zvishavane then back to Kariba. Now we are in Bulawayo and we have to travel back to Kariba and back.

It’s more than 7 000 km, that is taxing for us,” said Dhlakama.

Bulawayo Chiefs coach Nilton Terroso said: “It will be completely different in the cup game, I expect them not to sit back like they did today.

One point will not count in the Cup, both teams would want to win. They will come at us and take the risks they could not take in the league game.”

Harare City, who also lost one nil to Chicken Inn at Luveve on Saturday will also make another trip to Bulawayo to face the same opponents.

“It’s a different competition altogether.

As Harare City we have always been good in that competition. We will be hoping to find solace in the Cup having done so poorly in the league.

Four consistent positive results and we could win the trophy. We are hoping for better fortunes in the cup competition,” said Harare City coach Taurayi Mangwiro.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas believes the league win will boost their confidence ahead of the Chibuku clash.

“Back to back ties are not easy, it’s tricky. The good thing is the league win can help us in a long way.

Football is all about confidence and our victory over them will give us confidence,” said Antipas.

FC Platinum, winners of the 2021 edition of the Chibuku Super Cup, face-off against Tenax in the first round while 2019 winners Highlanders were drawn against Triangle.

The country’s most rewarding club competition is returning to its usual format after it was played in four groups at venues in Bulawayo, Harare, Zvishavane as well as Mutare last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chibuku Super Cup Draw First Round (August 20-21)

Chicken Inn v Harare City; FC Platinum v Tenax; Dynamos v Whawha; Manica Diamonds v Yadah; Triangle v Highlanders; Black Rhinos v CAPS Utd; Ngezi Platinum v Herentals; Bulawayo Chiefs v ZPC Kariba/Bulawayo City

Quarterfinals: September 17-18

Semi-finals: October 15-16

Final: November 19

— @innocentskizoe