BY TERRY MADYAUTA
Former champions FC Platinum are determined to ward off inform Highlanders’ challenge for the Chibuku Super Cup as the two football giants clash in the quarter-finals of the competition at Barbourfields this afternoon.
The league champions won the biggest knockout competition in the country in 2014 before emerging losing finalists in 2016 after falling to fellow platinum miners Ngezi Platinum.
Since then the Zvishavane side has struggled in the competition crashing out in the first round but this year they seem to have reignited their romance with the competition after making it to the quarter finals.
On the other hand Highlanders who are out of the title race are gunning for their first remodelled Chibuku Super Cup championship.
Having scrapped past Chapungu in the first round after penalty lottery, the platinum miners will be hoping to navigate past Bosso, who themselves are enjoying a purple patch.
Coach Sweswe said they are hopeful of progressing to the semi-finals of the knock out competition, for the first time in four years in spite of a hectic fixture schedule.
“We have a tight schedule ahead of us. It has been hectic, because of the travelling and to some extent fatigue might be catching up,” he said.
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“Nonetheless, we have a good team ready to do duty and we will take this opportunity to rest some of our players and also give some players a chance.
He was first to admit that a date against the rejuvenated Bosso outfit presents a litmus test to his charges.
“Highlanders have been doing well since the arrival of a new coach and this match will be tough for us. I am hoping for a positive result, so that we remain high in terms of confidence for our league race, where we still have a chance of retaining,” he said.
FC Platinum have dominated Highlanders especially in the in recent years and will be looking continue in that vein.
Bosso have not beaten FC Platinum in the league in 10 matches, their last success coming at Mandava back in August 2014.
But in Bosso, FC Platinum face a side that has not lost a football match in the last seven matches.
The two teams have successfully avoided each in the Cup competition since its reintroduction on the local scene in 2014.
