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Elroy Akbay

Tedious Manyepo Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO giants Highlanders are confident they will become the first team to defend the Commander Zimbabwe National Army Charities shield when they date Harare City in the final at Barbourfields tomorrow.

CAPS United and FC Platinum have previously won the cup which was introduced in 2013, but no team is yet to successfully defend the title.

Bosso who won the cup in a blood and thunder tussle with eternal rivals Dynamos last year thanks to a solitary strike from Obadiah Tarumbwa have vowed to score a first in the tournament.

Highlanders will not have enough time to rest as they will play Triangle in a rescheduled league encounter on Wednesday, but coach Elroy Akbay reckons his team will not trouble themselves thinking about the Sugar Sugar Boys and the league duties as they have to deal with Harare City first.

“We are fully prepared to defend that cup. Remember we are playing well and we are going to approach the game positively to win the trophy. Of course we have a league game against Triangle on Wednesday, but I don’t think that can be a reason enough to have a lackadaisical approach to this crucial cup game.

“Harare City is a good team with very strong players. But, we need the final at least to put smiles on the faces of the supporters. I am going to field my strongest squad for the game,” Akbay said.

Harare City look slightly depleted with four of their key members on the treatment table.

Inspirational captain Themba Ndlovu and Jimmy Tigere are both nursing groin injuries while reliable defensive midfielder Tendai Samanja has a stomach bug.

Chrispen Dickson is also down after he got to the end of a nasty tackle by a teammate at training.

Despite the setback, the Sunshine Boys have expressed optimism they will beat Highlanders to claim the trophy.

Moses Chunga

Harare City mentor Moses “Bambo” Chunga said his side would not be intimidated by Highlanders’ fine league form.

“We are making the long trip to Bulawayo not for a holiday, but a cup final. We are in it because we earned it. So inasmuch as we respect Highlanders, they should not expect an easy match.

“I have told my boys that we need to win this one at all costs. We are going into the match with a winning mindset.

“Besides the injured guys, all the other players are available for selection. I am going to field the strongest possible side for the match.

“Fans should get value for their money that is my promise. We can smell the silverware, it should be ours,” he said.

Winners of the final will walk away $12 000 richer while runners up are guaranteed $8 000. In the event of a deadlock, the game will go straight to penalties to decide the winners.

ZNA Staff Officer Grade One, Fabian Chitungo said they were ready to host a fun-filled family outing at Barbourfields.

“All is now set for the big one at Barbourfields. Fans should come in their numbers to witness the match. There will be lots of entertainment before, during and after the match.

“The game is for charity and it is them who give us the will to carry on with the tournament,” said Chitungo.

Highlanders beat city rivals Chicken Inn in the quarter-finals before dispatching FC Platinum in the semis while Harare City accounted for 2013 winners CAPS before dumping ZPC Kariba en-route to the final.

Gate charges have been pegged at $3 for the rest of the ground with the VIP tickets going for $5 and $10 for the VVIP.

Proceeds from the match will go towards ZNA’s five charitable organizations for the disadvantaged members of the army and their dependants.