DeMbare, Bosso hope to utilise home advantage

Sport
MBADA Diamonds Cup champions, Dynamos and Highlanders, enjoy home advantage in the first round of this year’s edition of the county’s richest knock-out tournament that explodes this weekend.

MBADA Diamonds Cup champions, Dynamos and Highlanders, enjoy home advantage in the first round of this year’s edition of the county’s richest knock-out tournament that explodes this weekend.

REPORT BY ALBERT MARUFU In the US$2,5 million tournament whose draw was conducted on Friday night, Dynamos hosts struggling Quelaton at Rufaro while Bosso takes on another struggling side Blue Rangers at Barbourfields.

  Forgotten Bindura’s Trojan Stadium would be the venue for the clash between fading giants CAPS United and last year’s losing finalists, Motor Action.

  Beitbridge’s fans have been afforded the chance to watch premiership football for the first time when Monomotapa and Hardbody clash at Dulibadzimu Stadium.

  Kariba fans have not been left out either with Nyamhunga Stadium hosting a duel between FC Platinum and Harare City.

  Gwanda’s Pelandaba Stadium receives Adam Ndlovu’s Chicken Inn and Gunners.

  Most clubs were happy with the draw with CAPS United co-director, Farai Jere, saying they hoped to win the trophy to compensate for their poor performance in the league.

  “We have had a poor season, so we have to win the game to get this trophy. It is unfortunate that we have had to chase some players for sabotaging the team. The draw against Motor Action is a fair one,” he said.

  However, Motor Action co-director, Liz Rosen, said CAPS United were in for a tough time.

  “We are prepared for any team and it is good that we will play CAPS United. Last year we lost in the final and this time we should win it,” he said.

  Last year, Roderick Mutuma’s solitary strike saw DeMbare lifting the trophy in a rain-soaked match at the National Sports Stadium.

  First round draw: Dynamos v Quelaton (Rufaro); Highlanders v Blue Rangers (Barbourfields), Monomotapa v Hardbody (Dulibadzimu); Chicken Inn v Gunners (Pelandaba); Shabanie v Hwange (Maglas); Platinum v Harare City (Nyamhunga); Buffaloes v Black Mambas (Sakubva); Motor Action v CAPS United (Trojan) Quarterfinals: Highlanders/Blue Rangers v Monomotapa/Hardbody; Dynamos/Quelaton v Chicken Inn/Gunners; Buffaloes/Black Mambas v CAPS United/Motor Action; Hwange/Shabanie Mine v Harare City/FC Platinum

  Semi-finals: 1 v 3, 2 v 4 Final: November 24 Prize breakdown: Winners: US$100 000 plus US$150 000 subsidy for representing Zimbabwe in the Caf Confederation Cup Runners-up: US$60 000 Semi-finalists: US$30 000 each Quarter-finalists: US$20 000 each First round losers: US$10 000 each

 

  • Each player will get US$100 appearance fee for the 18 players selected for each game.

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