By Tendai Chisiri
Despite being in positions below eighth position, many Castle Premier Soccer League teams are hoping to put their maximum effort in the Chibuku Super Cup Tournament as they believe a league game is different from a cup game.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Chibuku Super Cup Launch, many administrators of top flight teams concurred that league position does not determine that the team will lift the floating trophy or not.
Yadah FC communications officer, Terrence Paradza said the draw of the opening round was fair and is very much content with the outcome of the draw.
“We are ready to tussle against Cranborne Bullets FC next week on Wednesday in the preliminary round. We as Yadah will go forward to the tie against FC Platinum. We are pretty sure that we can triumph against Cranborne”, said optimistic Paradza.
Cranborne Bullets FC is second from last on the 17th position whilst Yadah FC is positioned 16 on the log.
Green Fuel FC sports administrator, Patient Dube said they had a difficult season as first timers but hope to raise their game and win.
“We are not much afraid of our opponent Chicken Inn FC in the first round draw. We played them in the first half of the season and drew one all. Green Fuel FC was at home. We are confident, we hope and trust we are going to play well”, he said.
“Coaches we have and technical team we have once took charge in the top-flight league and also featured in the tournament so we expect a better result”, he added.
Being their first time in the top flight league Dube said the going is getting tough but at the present moment they are getting some results.
Green Fuel is on position 15 whilst Chicken Inn FC is on 5th position.
“At first, we had some draws and some defeats but at the present moment we are now grindinfbhere and there. We hope we are going to survive relegation”, Dube said.
Manica Diamonds FC founding secretary and current secretary, Sugar Chagonda said his team was formed in 2017 as part of a public relations project.
“It was formed in 2017 and they started to play in Division 1in 2018. At the end of that season, they were promoted into the premier league. We are currently sitting on the 3rd position and we are doing very well”, he said.
He commended the draw as good and fair. Their team will play the winner between Sheasham FC and Black Rhinos FC who will lock horns in the preliminary round. They are positioned 15 and 18 respectively.
“In the last edition we were booted our unceremoniouly. Black Rhinos FC booted us out around the second round and we are happy to meet them so that we can revenge”, Chagonda revealed.
Triangle FC secretary general, Abraham Chinemaringa said they do not read much in the league position of their opponents but takes the game as it comes.
“In terms of the draw, I think it is very fair especially on our side. I think it is the best draw with the opponent it gave us. We are assure we will progress to the next round”.
Alrhought they are on position 13 and their opponent Ngezi Platinum is on position 2, Triangle FC is oozing with confidence.
” I can’t comment much about the cup game as it is quite different from league games. In the league, our opponent is doing well but in terms of the cup it is a different game all together. We are confident of ourself” Chinemaringa said.
Hwange FC secretary general, Khumbulani Mbano said although they did not manage to collect maximum points in the first half of the season, it is a passing phase.
“But then we are now coming to the second half of the season and we are playing Chibuku trophy, so we will put more effort”.
“This Chibuku trophy is very important to us because it gives a club a chance to play in Africa competitions. So we are taking this game against Caps Utd FC very seriously”, he revealed. Hwange is on position 12 when last Caps United is on 7th position.
Simba Bhora FC chairman, Isaiah Mupfurutsa thanked Delta Beverages and other stakeholders for making the league a success in having a tournament like Super Chibuku Cup.
“Having a tournament like this is really commendable because if a team misses the league title, there is something to fight for thus making the league exciting”, Mupfurutsa said.
“The draw was fair because there is no small teams when it comes to soccer. If one looks at the results of PSL games that we have played during the first half of the season, one notices that there had been a lot of surprise” he said.
“The big teams or purpoted big teams were beaten by small teams or purpoted small teams. So we don’t have any complaints with the draw” he added.
Simba Bhora FC positioned 15 will lock horns against Dynamos FC position 4 on the log in the first round.
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