HARARE - Just days after suffering a 6-0 thrashing at the hands by FC Platinum, troubled CAPS United were afforded an immediate chance to avenge that humiliating defeat.
The fading Cup Kings were paired against the platinum miners in the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup at yesterday’s draw held at Warren Park Beer hall in the capital.
The other quarter-final will see a Bulawayo derby pitting city rivals Highlanders and How Mine while Black Rhinos were drawn to play against triangle. Chiredzi FC will clash with Harare City in the remaining last eight clash.
All four quarter-final matches will be played this weekend but the venues are yet to be confirmed.
The Premier Soccer League said they will announce the venues anytime soon.
The clash between CAPS and FC platinum will however, be the highlight of the last eight round after events of last weekend.
The Green Machine completed a miserable week when they were clobbered by the Zvishavane-based side 6-0 in the final of the ZNA Charity Shield at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.
To make matters worse, CAPS finished the final with eight men after defender David Chipala, George Nyirenda and Hardlife Zvirekwi were all sent off by referee Rugare Kusosa.
On Thursday, United had played out a 0-0 draw with Bantu Rovers in Bulawayo but that match almost failed to take place.
Some 24 hours earlier United players had threatened to boycott the encounter as they refused to board the team bus to Bulawayo unless they were paid their outstanding dues.
In the end, the Makepekepe bosses had to run around looking for funds to pay the striking players, who only agreed to fulfil the fixture at the 11th hour.
This weekend’s clash gives Taurai Mangwiro and his men the perfect opportunity to redeem themselves in the eyes of their supporters by beating Platinum to progress to the semi-finals of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Chiredzi FC defender David Sengu welcomed the draw against Harare City.
“I think it’s a fair draw. The good thing is that it’s a cup game. This is a 50-50 situation. Cup games are like money games they are very unpredictable. We will do our best to go to the next stage,” said Sengu.
Triangle goalkeepers’ coach Gift Muzadzi said: “It’s a fair draw. This is another chance for us to do well. Remember we are already in the One Wallet Cup final. We will definitely do our best to progress.”
Highlanders vice chairman Mgncini Mpofu said beating How Mine this weekend will appease their fnas after the 4-1 humiliation they received at the hands of Dynamos in the TM Pick n Pay Challenge Cup at the weekend.
“There is no draw that is not fair. The only thing that is unfair is maybe we don’t about the dates and venues as yet,” said Mpofu.
“I think this is our best chance to redeem ourselves after last weekend’s 4-1 defeat in the hands of Dynamos. It’s time for the coaches to correct themselves. We don’t want to rely much on history and we will show How Mine who is the boss.”
Black Rhinos were the giant killers in the first round when they beat Dynamos 1-0 at Gwanzura Stadium and the army side’s coach Jostein Mathuthu believes they can go all the way.
“We are ready to fight. The players have self-belief. Triangle is playing good and so are we. We want to progress to the final and win the cup,” said Mathuthu.
The winners of the tournament will walk away with $75 000, while the runners up will get $5000.Semi-finalists will get $25 000 and quarter finalists $20 00.
Full draw: How Mine vs Highlanders, Black Rhinos vs Triangle, Chiredzi FC vs Harare City, FC Platinum vs CAPS United