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Kuda Masaraure

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
GUNNERS coach Kudakwashe Masaraure has challenged his charges to progress to the next stage of the Yadah TV Knockout Cup when they take on Starbill at Lafarge this afternoon.The tournament, being sponsored by Prophet Walter Magaya’s Yadah TV to the tune of $30 000, will see eight teams battling it out with the eventual winners walking away with $8 000.

Magaya also took over as the chief financier of log leaders Gunners early this year.

Teams selected to take part in this tournament were those that were in the top eight by mid-season and the first game is between Gunners and Starbill this afternoon.

Masaraure said they were hoping to sail through to the semi-finals, but noted that it would be a tightly-contested tie.

“It’s a must-win game for us and Starbill is a good team. We played in the league and we beat them 1-0 in the dying minutes, so it’s going to be a tough game,” said Masaraure.

“We are not underrating them. We are hoping to win this tournament because it is being sponsored by our sponsor so if we lose we would have disappointed him (Magaya).

“However, we have no pressure from our sponsors because they understand football but as coaches and as a team the pressure that we have is not to disappoint him.”

Masaraure said they have adequately prepared for today’s game and are hoping to field seasoned midfielder Patrick Makuwaza who has been out for several weeks due to a groin injury.

“Our preparations are okay, there are no changes that we are making and we will field our usual team. We have no injuries. Patrick Makuwaza had a groin injury but he is now training and we are hoping that he can play.

“The chances of winning are there. It’s an advantage that we are playing at home, it’s our ground and we are used to playing there.”

Gunners, who are the log leaders in the World Navi Northern Region Division One soccer league, start as the favourites in today’s game having displayed some remarkable performances in the championship race.

Magaya jokingly predicted, during the launch of the tournament, that Gunners will emerge 3-0 winners in this match.

However, the prophet was very clear that he was only joking although he was confident that his team would prevail.

Starbill have a point to prove and secretary-general Kudakwashe Mugari, who is also the team manager, said they will not be intimidated by their opponents.

“This is a Cup game and as Starbill we knew about this tournament way back so we have been preparing and we are raring to go.  We are looking beyond Gunners because we have been preparing for this cup.

“We are not looking at Gunners’ position in the league. It’s a Cup game and a different programme.  Tomorrow (today) I encourage the spirit of Fair Play to prevail. Let’s have football win at the end of the day.

“I am also encouraging the referees and other stakeholders who will be in charge of this game to be professional and fair so that the better team of the day wins,” said Mugari.

The other quarter-final match will be played tomorrow at Trojan where Bindura will clash with Ngezi Platinum to determine who progresses to the last four.

And both teams have said they are ready for a battle royale.

The matches between Mushowani and Lake Harvest and Flame Lilly against Black Mambas are scheduled for the weekend of September 27 and 28.