Zimpapers Logo

Masimba Dinyero

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE City are ready to face giants Highlanders in semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup as they aim to continue with their good form in the 16-team competition.The Sunshine Boys were paired with the Bulawayo giants in a draw conducted yesterday to set up a potentially explosive clash which invokes memories from last year when the newboys wrecked Bosso’s title charge.

Army side Black Rhinos and Norman Mapeza’s ambitious FC Platinum will feature in the other semi-final following a fruitful weekend for both sides in the last eight.

Harare City coach Masimba Dinyero immediately reacted to the fixture and said Bosso should expect a tough encounter despite their 3-1 win over Luke Masomere’s How Mine.

Highlanders are the only remaining giant among the country’s top three after Dynamos and CAPS United failed to make it past the first round and the quarter-final stages of the tournament.

And for all the criticism they have been getting since the loss to Dynamos in the league and two other Cup contests this year, they responded strongly at the weekend.

Interestingly, Highlanders and Harare City are set to clash this weekend in the league competition.

Dinyero said he was not fazed by the prospect of facing the giants, who edged his side 1-0 in the first leg of the league marathon at Barbourfields earlier this year. “It’s a good draw and very exciting because we will be playing them in our next league match. We have our ambitions and one thing for sure is that we don’t feel threatened by facing Highlanders.

“I think we will be ready for them. Even if we play that game in Bulawayo or anywhere else, we still expect to go to the final. We are playing in the same league and football is virtually just the same,” said Dinyero. City have had a disappointing campaign in the league race and have somehow managed to atone for the poor run by progressing to the last four of the Chibuku Super Cup.

They beat the season’s surprise packages ZPC Kariba 1-0 in the first round and followed that up with a 2-1 win over bottom-of-the-table side Chiredzi.

Dinyero said Chiredzi gave them a good run, especially as his side had to come back from a goal down to grind the result.

“Chiredzi came fighting and at one time we were trailing. But I told the boys that if we don’t adopt a positive attitude we could be beaten and they responded to that by scoring two goals in the second half.

“I am quite happy with our performance. The boys did well and it’s encouraging that we are now in the semi-finals,” said Dinyero. Highlanders on the other hand were more convincing in a derby that was largely lop-sided with goals from Felix Chindungwe, Dumisani Ndlovu and Charles Sibanda. Kelvin Kaindu will be looking to pick up from where they left off.

Bosso, however, may not have forgotten how Harare City inflicted a death blow to their title hopes last year after losing 4-0 in the penultimate match of the campaign at Rufaro.

Chibuku Cup semi-final Draw

Highlanders v Harare City; FC Platinum v Black Rhinos