Sikhanyiso Ndlovu
Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League has delayed the kickoff of today’s double header Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals at National Sports Stadium to allow football fans an opportunity to bid national hero Sikhanyiso Ndlovu farewell. Ndlovu died on Tuesday and will be buried today at the National Heroes’ Acre, which is across the National Sports Stadium.
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele released a statement yesterday saying: “The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League would like to advise the public that due to the burial of national hero Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu at the National Heroes’ Acre on Saturday, September 19, 2015, the kick off time for the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final matches scheduled for Saturday have been rearranged.”
The development means that the match between league leaders Chicken Inn and Chapungu which had earlier been scheduled for 1PM will now kick off at 2:30PM, with the second quarter-final involving Triangle United and Harare City being played at 4:45PM. The Triangle United-Harare City match will be played under floodlights.
Football fans have been given a rare treat by the PSL through the double headers, bringing three championship chasing sides — Chicken Inn, FC Platinum, and Dynamos — into one stadium over two days. Not only are the three sides aiming for the league title, they are also in the running for cup glory.
Chicken Inn are wary of their opponents Chapungu who are the tournament’s underdogs. “Cup games are always tricky and I’m sure Chapungu will be more comfortable riding on the underdogs tag. They’re a good side, who pose lots of threats for any opponent and we’re not taking them lightly. We’ve brought the limelight to ourselves because of the position that we’re at in the championship race, which could psychologically boost Chapungu because not much focus is on them.
However, we’re going to Harare to fight for a victory and progress to the next stage,” said Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas. The Gamecocks gaffer is also worried about the recovery of his players after their long midweek trip to Triangle United. Chicken Inn were made to fight hard for the three points, coming from a goal down to win the Triangle battle 2-1.
George Majika who missed the south-eastern Lowveld trip due to suspension has been included for the trip to Harare. Other players expected to guide Chicken Inn to the next round are skipper Danny “Deco” Phiri, Moses Jackson, Clemence Matawu, deadly striking duo of Edmore Chirambadare and Mitchell Katsvairo.
Antipas is likely to rest goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze and give game time to Pride “Cool Cat” Zendera who played in the first round against Hwange. Chapungu who knocked out Flame Lily in the first round, recording a 2-1 victory, will bank on veteran striker Philip Marufu, goalkeeper Roy Mazingi, Blessing Zabula, Maxwell Mavhuto and Marvelous Dikinya to lead them to glory.
In the other semi-final, both Triangle United and Harare City will be hoping to bounce back from midweek respective defeats against Chicken Inn and ZPC Kariba by progressing to the next stage. What makes the encounter even more exciting is that having lost ground in the league title race, the two teams’ desire to land a piece of silverware could push them to fight harder.
Progressing to the last four will give hope for glory to either side as well as make up for missing out in the championship after earning the pre-season favourites tags. Tomorrow, defending champions FC Platinum meet Dynamos for the second time in as many weeks hoping to get the better of the latter.
Last weekend FC Platinum clobbered DeMbare 3-1 at Mandava in a league encounter and it will be a revenge mission for Dynamos. Norman Mapeza, FC Platinum’s coach, knows the pressure of being in the running for both the league and cup titles.
The Zvishavane side has been enjoying a good run in the championship, going for a 14-match unbeaten run. “What’s important is to take each game as it comes. It’s difficult to chase two rabbits with one dog, meaning you have to be strategic to get them both. “Every game presents a new challenge and we can’t be talking about last week’s victory against Dynamos. This is a cup game and the approach is different,” said Mapeza.
Pace and skill is what FC Platinum has been thriving on. They are quick to release the ball and their breaks have proved difficult for most teams. Obrey Chirwa and Brian Muzondiwa will lead the platinum miners from the front with Gerald Takwara and Winston Mhango deployed in central midfield while veteran defender Gift Bello will marshal the defence.
DeMbare will bank on their seasoned attacking duo of Rodrick Mutuma and Takesure Chinyama. Besides the duo, the Glamour Boys also have Ronald Chitiyo, Sydney Linyama, Ocean Mushure and captain Augustine Mbara to stir their ship. The last semi-final will feature How Mine against ZPC Kariba. The gold miners will begin life without Luke Masomere who stepped down on Thursday.
Fixtures
Today: Chicken Inn v Chapungu (2:30PM), Triangle United v Harare City (4:45PM)
Tomorrow: ZPC Kariba v How Mine (1PM), FC Platinum v Dynamos (3:30PM)
All matches at National Sports Stadium and will be screened live on SuperSport