Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
DOMESTIC football’s all-weather friends Delta Beverages have challenged Premiership teams to rally their fans and fill up stadiums across the country for this year’s Chibuku Super Cup tournament.
Speaking at the draw yesterday, Delta Beverages Marketing Director Irimayi Muzorewa said clubs needed to be deliberate and come up with initiatives that prioritise fan engagement.
“It’s one thing to put an investment in the game, but it’s also another thing to invest in the fans, as well as the communities, and we certainly hope that every team that will be participating in this year’s competition is going to rally their fans to make sure that we fill up the stadium as much as possible,” said Muzorewa.
“We are excited to continue on this incredible journey in partnership with the PSL which has certainly grown stronger over the years. We are humbled by the trust, collaboration and shared vision that we have built together. This tournament transcends beyond football.
“It’s about community, pride and creating moments. The kind of moments that unite our fans while bringing families and friends together over a weekend or weekday to cheer on their teams . . .
“We certainly look forward to thrilling matches, fixtures, as well as the outstanding talent that will be on display, and of course, the strong spirit of sportsmanship.”
The tournament is returning with an unchanged purse of $375 000 with the winners set to walk away with $75 000 and a ticket to represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Muzorewa said they look forward to highly competitive matches following yesterday’s draw which saw defending champions Dynamos having to take the longer route this year as they start the title defence from the preliminary round owing to their poor performance in the league.
According, to the competition rules the bottom four teams — Yadah, Triangle, Dynamos and Kwekwe United — start from the preliminary round on August 6-7.
DeMbare, winners of the past two editions, will face the ignominy of beginning their quest for a third straight Chibuku Super Cup title with a date against fellow league strugglers Yadah at Ngoni while Triangle take on Kwekwe United at Mandava.
Glamour Boys chairman Moses Maunganidze said DeMbare will look to put behind them their current struggles in the league marathon, where they sit second from the bottom, and hope to retain the title.
“Typical of a draw, you may never be paired with who you want to play, but we are ready to play Yadah come August 6 in Norton. If we go past Yadah, obviously, as you are aware, we are going to play Simba Bhora.
“So, we are ready for the two draws in terms of the preliminary round game and then the first-round game. We are hopeful as the cup holders twice in a row.
“We look forward to doing very well. It’s a very well-structured tournament and playing from the preliminary round actually gives us better platform to prepare ourselves even as we move to play Simba Bhora in the first round.
“So, we are ready, we are ready for that,” said Maunganidze.
The winners from the preliminary round will join the top 14 teams in the first round.
The first-round draws were also conducted yesterday with the top eight seeded teams set to start at home.
Venues for Harare teams will be confirmed as Rufaro might not be available at the time of the first-round matches, set for August 9-10, because of the Heroes Day celebrations.
Former Cup Kings CAPS United will begin their campaign at MWOS while Highlanders will travel to Harare for a date against Herentals.
Scottland will be the home team when they begin their quest against GreenFuel while FC Platinum will receive Manica Diamonds in another interesting duel.
Premier Soccer League acting chief executive officer Rodwell Thabe said they are looking forward to improved competition.
“This tournament remains a platform where all our 18 PSL clubs have an equal opportunity to compete for cup glory and the honour of representing the nation at the Cup Confederation Cup.
“Last season was really captivating and this year we challenge our clubs to raise the bar even higher. Score more goals, fill the stadiums and create memories that will last a lifetime.
“We are confident that as usual, it has become the norm with this tournament. This year’s Chibuku Super Cup will deliver love, excitement and entertaining football that our supporters have come to expect from this Cup.
“As the Premier Soccer League, we are proud of the strides that we continue to make in elevating the profile and professionalism of our games,” said Thabe.
He also urged clubs to step up administrative structures.
“And we urge the clubs to endeavour to comply with the FIFA Club Licencing Regulations, which will remain a foundation for the success of our football.
“The Chibuku Super Cup, like I’ve said, is always full of surprises and has become a true showcase of unpredictability and we remain committed to fulfilling the basic requirements to make our football matches a pleasure to experience by focusing on three core aspects — the safety of our fans and stakeholders, the security and the service that we give to them,” said Thabe.
Chibuku Super Cup draw:
Preliminary Round:
Aug 6: Yadah v Dynamos (Ngoni)
Aug 7: Triangle v Kwekwe (Mandava)
First Round: Simba Bhora v Yadah/Dynamos (Wadzanayi), MWOS v CAPS Utd (Ngoni), Scottland v GreenFuel (TBA), TelOne v Bikita Minerals (Ascot), FC Platinum v Manica Diamonds (Mandava), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Triangle /Kwekwe Utd (Baobab), ZPC Kariba v Chicken Inn (Nyamhunga), Herentals v Highlanders (TBA)