Bosso braces up for empty BF

CHIBUKU Super Cup defending champions Highlanders are bracing up for tough title defence without their critical 12th man, the fans, when competition begins in an unfamiliar empty Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday.

Highlanders’ fans have played a crucial role in the club’s success in the past especially in their Chibuku Cup triumph in 2019, but will have to wait a little longer to be allowed into the stadium as a measure to curtail the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Bosso captain Ariel Sibanda (pic

the longest-serving player at the Bulawayo giants, says it will be difficult for the players to play in an empty home stadium.

“As players, we will have to get used to playing behind closed doors, but it’s what it is and beyond anyone’s control at the moment. It will be painful for our fans not to attend the matches, but I guess they will have to do with what is available. The best we can do for them is to make sure we win our games and try to retain this trophy as holders. We will play for our fans,” Sibanda.

However, fans will be able to watch the games online as football restarts with the Chibuku Super Cup which has a different format.

The competition will start with a round-robin with teams placed into four groups that will be played at Barbourfields Stadium (Bulawayo), National Sports Stadium (Harare), Sakubva (Mutare) and Mandava (Zvishavane).

Sibanda said retaining the Chibuku Super Cup will mean an inflow of revenue for the club, which has suffered a lot of financial setbacks due to the pandemic.

“We will try our best in this tournament. There is money involved here and I think the club definitely needs the money. If we win, that money will come a long way for the club and us as players,” he said.

He believes everyone is now back in shape and raring to go for the upcoming games and start of the main league, which has been set for

July.