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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
MUNICIPAL sides Harare City and Bulawayo City have set aside their struggles for survival in the Castle Lager Premiership and shift attention to the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final at Barbourfields tomorrow. Chibuku Super Cup, which lost all the big guns early, presents a big chance for the struggling sides to get some consolation this year.

Harare City have set their sights on a positive result despite playing away to secure their third Chibuku Super Cup final appearance in five years. The Sunshine Boys are seeking a repeat of the 2015 season when they put their disappointing league run behind them and won the tournament under Taurai Mangwiro.

They fired warning shots when they eliminated Highlanders courtesy of a 2-1 win at Mandava in the first round before edging Black Rhinos 1-0. But their fortunes in the Chibuku Super Cup are in sharp contract to their form in the league where they are battling for survival in a cut-throat battle that also involves Bulawayo City, Yadah, Shabanie Mine, Hwange and Tsholotsho.

Harare City are still keen to play in the Confederation Cup following a disappointing debut in Africa last year when they were eliminated in the first round by Zanaco of Zambia. Bulawayo City coach Mandla Mpofu yesterday said pressure was on Harare City. “It’s quite an achievement for us to be in the semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup. Many people didn’t give us a chance to reach this stage but here we are.

“The biggest motivator now is that everyone wants to represent the country in Africa. Everyone wants to play in the CAF competitions and it’s exciting to be in the race,’’ said Mpofu. Amakhosi will be without their captain Zibusiso Sibanda, who suffered a head injury after colliding with teammate Nyasha Mukumbi in a league defeat to Ngezi Platinum Stars last week.

Bulawayo City edged Yadah 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup at the same venue two weeks ago. They had also staged one of the biggest upsets when they beat giants Dynamos 2-1 at Rufaro in the first round. Mpofu will be looking for strong performances from Rainsome Pavari, Innocent Kutsanzira and their veteran leading scorer Mkhulili Moyo.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: (Barbourfields)

How Mine v Shabanie Mine (1pm), Bulawayo City v Harare City (3pm)