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Masimba Dinyero

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE City may appear to have been handed the easiest draw after being paired with struggling newboys Chiredzi United in the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup but their coach Masimba Dinyero insists they will not leave anything to chance when the two teams clash at Mandava on Saturday. The Sunshine Boys and Gishon Ntini’s Chiredzi will feature in a lunch time kick-off before paving the way for hosts FC Platinum and CAPS United.
The organisers yesterday scheduled a double-header at Mandava to maximise on the television coverage of the games by Supersport.

Highlanders and How Mine will clash in a derby at Hartsfield on Sunday while Black Rhinos and Triangle play on Monday at Ascot.
Harare City, who had a slow start this season before picking up the tempo with the arrival of Dinyero recently, are looking to go beyond the quarter-final stage.

Dinyero yesterday told The Herald that his charges are determined to make an impact in the tournament but said they would need to be careful not to underrate their opponents.

“I think this is a tricky draw because from the look of things Chiredzi is the weakest in the quarter-final. But in cup games it is usually not like that.
“Even a team from the lower divisions can spring a surprise.

“Remember that year when CAPS United played a boozers team, Highdon Raylton, and they were shocked. It was a big lesson for all not to underrate any team in cup competitions.

“If that could happen with a social team what more with a team like Chiredzi who are playing in the same league with us? So we are not going to take them lightly no matter how they have been playing this season.

“As a team we are aiming high. We have never been to any cup final so we would want to go all the way and then see what happens from there,” said Dinyero.
Harare City beat ZPC Kariba 1-0 at Rimuka courtesy of Osborne Mukuradare’s goal in the first round.

Chiredzi were the most prolific team in the opening round when they edged Buffaloes 4-3 at Sakubva.
The Premiership debutants, however, have been facing a myriad of challenges on and off the field of play but their coach Gishon Ntini remains upbeat.

Ntini also has his own challenges as he was scheduled to appear before a PSL Disciplinary Committee yesterday for the statements he made to the Press which were deemed inappropriate by the league bosses.

“Obviously cup games are unpredictable. We are ready to face any team and we also aim to go far in the Chibuku Cup and the Mbada Diamonds Cup, if it is coming this year.

“It has been a very difficult task to try to manage the situation we find ourselves in at the moment because we are facing too many problems.
“But we are still fighting. We are not going to put our heads down, we have told the guys to remain focused,” said Ntini.

Chiredzi, however, continued with their preparations despite injury worries to skipper and veteran defender David Sengu and David Temwanjira who scored a brace in the first round match against Buffaloes.

Chibuku Super Cup Fixtures
Saturday :
Chiredzi v Harare City (Mandava, 1:00pm, SS), FC Platinum v CAPS United (Mandava, 3:00pm, SS)
Sunday:
How Mine v Highlanders (Hartsfield, SS)

Monday:
Black Rhinos v Triangle United (Ascot, SS)