Dynamos takes on Simba Bhora as battle for Chibuku...

Dynamos takes on Simba Bhora as battle for Chibuku Super Cup begins

Patience Muchemwa

Chibuku Super Cup first-round bursts into life this afternoon with some tasty fixtures lined up around the country.

In the city of Kings and Queens, Dynamos make a quick return to Bulawayo where they are playing against Simba Bhora this afternoon.

It will be a litmus test for new Glamour Boys interim gaffer Genesis Mangombe to prove himself after his predecessor Herbert Maruwa was relieved of his duties during the week.

DeMbare have been playing well in the league so far, especially at Barbourfields where they have not lost a game since setting up base in Bulawayo due to a stadia crisis in Harare.

Simba Bhora have also not fared badly in the league.

The Tonderai Ndiraya-coached Simba Bhora have won two times, drawn twice and lost once in the last five games, beating reigning champions FC Platinum at Mandava last weekend, a major boost for them as they face Dynamos today.

Chibuku Super Cup defending champions Bulawayo Chiefs’ new coach Johanisi Nhumwa also faces a stern test as his side clash with Highlanders in another quarter-final tie at Emagumeni tomorrow.

Nhumwa who takes over from interim gaffer Joseph Sibindi is ready for the task against the Bulawayo giants.

“Every game is a new game. I cannot judge but what I know is that Bulawayo Chiefs is a very good team which can match any team in the league. Football is football and from what I have seen in the past, I think these guys are playing good football. Highlanders are a big club who have not yet lost a game this year. I have been seeing them and they have some loopholes, we will make it a point that we capitalise on that one,” the former Manica Diamonds coach said.

Highlanders coach Baltemar Brito is wary of the Nhumwa factor.

“We are preparing knowing that they changed their coach and when a new coach comes there is a boost in confidence in the players. There are new dynamics in the team. We don’t know what is in their minds. We just know that we have to focus on ourselves and how we approach the game because we are playing against a coach that we don’t know,” Brito said.

On their way to lifting the Chibuklu Super Cup last year, The Ninjas beat Highlanders in the quarter-finals last year.

Chicken Inn have a to put more effort as well when they face resurgent Green Fuel in another first-round match that is slated for Luveve Stadium this afternoon.

First Round Fixtures

Today: Ngezi Platinum vs Triangle (Gibbo), Manica Diamonds vs Black Rhinos (Gibbo), Chicken Inn vs Green Fuel (Luveve), FC Platinum vs Yadah (Mandava), Dynamos vs Simba Bhora (BF)

Tomorrow: Highlanders vs Bulawayo Chiefs (BF), Caps United v Hwange (Bata), Herentals vs ZPC Kariba (Mandava)