Chibuku Super Cup roars into action

The 16 PSL clubs will compete in the US$75 000 prize money edition.

By Evan Gutsa

THE die has been cast and the 2016 Chibuku Super Cup roars into action next weekend after the first round draw was conducted at Mandel Training Centre in the capital on Monday.

All the 16 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clubs were represented by either club coach or captain at the occasion. Also present includes Delta Marketing Director Max Karombo, Brand Manager Karen Dhliwayo; PSL chairperson Peter Dube and secretary general Kenny Ndebele among other dignitaries.

The 16 PSL clubs will compete in the US$75 000 prize money edition of which eight teams had already been seeded prior to the draw.

The eight teams include FC Platinum,Caps United;ZPC Kariba;Dynamos;Triangle;Ngezi Platinum Stars;Harare City and Highlanders.These clubs were seeded as a result of their league positions as at match day 15 of the current season.

The seeded teams will play at home on the weekend of September 16-18.

Cup holders Harare City who lifted the trophy last year after beating Dynamos were drawn against Border Strikers.The match will be played at Rufaro stadium.

Current PSL log leaders were drawn against Gweru based airmen Chapungu in a tricky encounter set for Mandava Stadium.Pure Platinum Play as FC Platinum are affectionately known were the first team to get an opponent.

The Chibuku draw

Fading Bulawayo giants, Highlanders who have been inconsistent in the league will fight it against the Taku Shariwa coached Mutare City Rovers. In the league Bosso failed to get maximum points against Gusha as the latter got four points.The teams drew 1-1 in Sakubva before Bosso lost 0-1 at Babourfields.

Dynamos will entertain How Mine at Rufaro in a match that can go either way.In the league the teams played to stalemates in both legs hence this cup match will be a tightly contested one. Dembare will seek to avenge the loss of last year’s final by getting past Chikurupati.

Caps United were drawn against a struggling Tsholotsho side who are battling for life in the PSL. The match is slated for the giant National Sports Stadium.

Sunday Chidzambwa’s ZPC Kariba were drawn against Bulawayo City in a first round fixture set for Nyamhunga Stadium. ZPC Kariba have been in fine form in the league and Chidzambwa will look to emulate that into a cup glory.

Ngezi Platinum Stars were pitted against Hwange and the encounter is set for Baobab stadium in Mhondoro.

Lowveld based side Triangle will lock horns against Chicken Inn who have been disappointing this season considering they are the reigning league champions.The match is set for Gibo stadium.

PSL Chairman Peter Dube said he is happy with the coming on board of Delta through the cup.

“I am more than happy with the staging of the last edition of the cup which was won by Harare City after beating Dynamos.We urge teams to observe fair play in this year’s edition. We are happy for the clubs to continue doing well,” he said.

A quarter final draw will be conducted soon after the last action of the first round matches. The quarter finals are set for September 30- October 2.

The winner of this year’s Chibuku Trophy will earn a ticket to represent the country in next year’ s CAF Confederations Cup.

HERE IS THE FULL DRAW

Highlanders vs Mutare City Rovers(Babourfields)

Dynamos vs How Mine (Rufaro)

Caps Utd vs Tsholotsho (NSS)

Harare City vs Border Strikers (Rufaro)

Ngezi vs Hwange (Baobab)

Fc Platinum vs Chapungu(Mandava)

Triangle vs Chicken Inn (Gibo)

ZPC Kariba vs Bulawayo City (Nyamhunga)