Super 8 Cup double-header at White City

LOWER division football enthusiasts are in for a treat when White City hosts a double header for the Zifa Southern Region Division John Landa Nkomo Liquor Hub Super 8 Cup this afternoon with the top of the table clash between Bulawayo Chiefs and Bantu Rovers set to be the main attraction.

The other game which will feature police sides, Blackboots and ZRP Bulawayo Province kicks off earlier at midday.

Bantu are in top form and lead the Southern Region log with 40 points from 16 games while Chiefs are third with 31 points from the same number of matches.

For some the game could be the final before the final, and the match is set to be competitive as both sides fight for what could be the only cup tournament this season in the Southern Region League.

Bantu coach, Johannes “Tshisa” Ngodzo and Chiefs’ Thulani “Thuts” Sibanda have predicted a tough match which could go either way.

Sibanda, however, said they were taking it as another game and would be going ahead with their usual preparations adding there would be no change in their approach.

Although Chiefs were involved in a road traffic accident in May that saw the team out of action for over a month, they have come back strong despite the setback with some of their players still sidelined by injuries sustained during the mishap that took place on their way to Victoria Falls.

Ngodzo said it would be a tough match that they had to prepare well for.

The Top 8 Cup is sponsored to the tune of $5 000 and involves the Southern Region league teams that occupied the top eight spots at the league’s halfway mark.

The tourney is sponsored by Raj Modi’s Liquor Hub Wholesalers.

In the other match, second placed Amagagasi take on Victoria Falls Tigers in the resort town this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Tobias Mandoreba reports from Hwange that ZPC Hwange stormed into the semi-finals of the John Landa Liquor Hub Super 8 after edging town rivals Technosphere 1-0 in a cracking match played before a full house at the Colliery Stadium yesterday.

A 12th minute brilliant goal by lanky Clive Ngwenya off a delicate cross by Alfonce Murimba was all ZPC needed to book their place in the last four of the tournament, with a tie against either Vic Falls Tigers and Amagagasi who are playing today in the resort town.

To their credit, Technosphere gave their more illustrious opponents a good run for their money with some lovely attacking football especially after the second half introduction of seasoned players Stanford Mpala and Manyando Zulu.

Ngwenya was elated to have scored the goal that made the big difference.

ZPC head coach Njabulo Dube was a happy man after the final whistle.

Technosphere gaffer Weekly Mwale paid tribute to his charges for fighting to the end.

Black Boots v ZRP Byo Province (White City, 12PM), Vic Falls Tigers v Amagagasi (Vic Falls, 3PM) Bulawayo Chiefs v Bantu Rovers (White City, 3PM)