eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
The 2018 Chibuku Super Cup roars into action tomorrow and will see 17 PSL soccer teams battle it out in the $400 000 tournament.
Two of the bottom teams, Chapungu and Mutare City Rovers, will clash at Ascot Stadium in the preliminary play-offs and the winner will play FC Platinum in the first round of the tourney two weeks later.
It is a tourney in which giant clubs like Highlanders, Dynamos and CAPS United, will be eyeing to redeem themselves following poor showing in this years’ top flight league.
Winner of the tourney will walk away with US$75 000 prize money on November 10 when the final will be staged.
Chibuku general manager Tichafa Rinomhota, said Delta Beverages, the Chibuku Super Brand and their technical partners, the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League are looking forward to an explosive tourney as they spread their brand and grow lasting relationships all over Zimbabwe through football.
“Over the years, we have been thoroughly entertained by the passion and grit of all the teams that have participated have shown. We wish we could have all of them as winners, but sadly only one team will emerge as the champions of the Chibuku Super Cup.
“The cumulative sponsorship of the Chibuku Super Cup this year is $400 000. You will agree with me that Delta Beverages has always been Zimbabwe football’s best friend, and in Chibuku Super Cup, we celebrate the brotherhood of friends on and off the pitch.
“Lasting bonds of brotherhood and friendship have been created throughout the Chibuku Super Cup as the players battled it out for top honours while the soccer fans enjoyed good football and a great beer in Chibuku Super. We encourage fair-play and good sportsmanship on the field, may the best team win,” he said.
The top eight seeded teams are FC Platinum, Caps United, Triangle, Ngezi Platinum Stars, Harare City and Highlanders, Black Rhinos and Dynamos.
All seeded teams will play their first round matches at home on the weekend of September 22nd and 23rd.
Chicken Inn are out of the tournament following a one-year ban for walking out during the match against Yadah in last year’s edition.
Chicken Inn abandoned the game and the Ad hoc Committee that was set-up by the PSL banned and fined them US$2 000.
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele, applauded the sponsors of the Chibuku Super Cup highlighting that Delta Beverages are football’s all-weather friend.
“We are pleased to have staged successful tournaments since the launch of the Chibuku Super Cup. The competition has been spread across the country over the years attracting thousands of fans at the stadia annually.
“Through our partnership with Delta Beverages, we have managed to build a strong brand in the Chibuku Super Cup, our biggest cup competition which continuously provides our players with the opportunity to showcase their talent.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let me take this opportunity to thank our sponsors, Delta Beverages for continuously going out of their way to make football what it is today. Without their support an event of this magnitude would not be possible,” he said.
FC Platinum won the cup in 2014 since the tournament re-launch that year. Harare City wrote their own piece of history by winning the tournament twice in 2015 and 2017 and Ngezi Platinum in 2016.
A total of 114 goals have been scored since the inception of the competition in 2014 and William Manondo is the leading goal-scorer in the competition with nine goals.
Winners of this competition get a chance to represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Chibuku Super Cup Fixtures
Preliminary Round Fixtures:
Chapungu vs Mutare City
First Round Fixtures
FC Platinum vs Chapungu /Mutare City
Ngezi Platinum vs Herentals
CAPS United vs ZPC Kariba
Triangle United vs Shabanie Mine
Highlanders vs Yadah
Harare City vs Bulawayo City
Black Rhinos vs Nichrut
Dynamos vs Bulawayo Chiefs
