Zimpapers Logo

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter

ZPC KARIBA coach Rodwell Dhlakama returns to Mandava on yet another Chibuku Super Cup mission this afternoon but with changed circumstances.

The last time he was at the Zvishavane venue was on December 4 last year when his bubbly Ngezi Platinum Stars played rivals FC Platinum in the final of the country’s premier knockout football tournament.

His team lost, after 120 minutes of spellbinding action, via a penalty lottery.

This is the same stadium he had shown the Mhondoro club can be highly competitive, slaying opponents, including FC Platinum, with relative ease in the initial rounds of the competition.

But, this afternoon the veteran gaffer marches onto the Mandava turf with his lowly ZPC Kariba side seeking to qualify for the last 16.

The electricity men will have to do it the hard way as they need to pay the price for reaching the halfway mark of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season as part of the bottom four of the 18-team log.

Dhlakama’s side should clear the hurdle, posed by Bulawayo City in a 1pm kick-off match if they are to leap into the last 16.

And the gaffer, whose team remain in danger of Premiership relegation, will take that opportunity to test his youngsters and newcomers. It is a chance for the Chipinge-born coach to assess the strengths and weaknesses of those players he has rarely used.

He badly needs fresh legs and minds to not only fight for the Chibuku Super Cup honours but to tussle against the dreaded chop.

And yesterday, Dhlakama said it is paramount for him to give a chance to those whom he has been leaving on the sidelines.

“This is a big match for us. It’s the biggest cup competition in the country and we should be at our best,” said Dhlakama.

“But, I am also hoping to throw in some youngsters who should prove to me that they are ready to wear the badge going forward.

“We are also going to thrust the new players who need to win the match to carry the confidence into survival fight.”

ZPC Kariba have taken aboard three new players in Kudzi Dhemere, Winston Mhango and Wellington Taderera in the just closed mid-season window with the veterans expected to deliver the team.

The tie between ZPC Kariba and Bulawayo City will be followed by another preliminary tie between Cranborne Bullets and Whahwa at 3pm.

Cranborne Bullets did well last year in the same tournament only exiting the competition in the semi-finals.