All roads will this afternoon lead to the Boabab Stadium, where Ngezi Platinum meet Dynamos in what should be a pulsating Chibuku Super Cup final.
Both sides head into the decider on the backdrop of contrasting seasons, with Madamburo having clinched a historic first league title, while DeMbare, just like last season, finished third despite investing in more than 10 players and a new technical team.
By booking a place in the final though, Dynamos are assured passage to the CAF Confederation Cup, even if they lose it to Madamburo, who will represent the country in the Champions League.
DeMbare will be looking to end the season with silverware to somewhat appease their ever-demanding supporters, some of whom confronted head coach Genesis Mangombe after the defeat to Yadah on the final day of the season, accusing the youthful coach of ‘deliberately’ losing to his former paymasters.
For Ngezi though, it’s the perfect opportunity for the double, as well as to put in icing on the cake, to what has been a very successful season for the platinum miners.
The 2023 Soccer Stars of the Year awards banquet held in Harare on Friday night belonged to Ngezi, with captain Qadr Amini being crowned the best player in the league, while his teammate Takunda Benhura won the golden boot, having netted 12 goals in the just ended season.
Coach Takesure Chiragwi was named the coach of the year, while the champions also won the Most Disciplined Team award.
For DeMbare though, spoiling the party for Ngezi is a must, and Mangombe, who is fully aware of what’s at stake, believes his charges are geared up for battle.
“We are ready for the game,” he said.
It should be a tense affair though, as Dynamos were not happy with the Premier Soccer League (PSL)’s decision to stage the match at Baobab -the home of Ngezi.
The Moses Maunganidze-led DeMbare executive wrote to the PSL requesting a change of venue to no avail, while their fans showed their displeasure, by frequently interrupting the league’s Chief Excecutive Officer Kenny Ndebele’s speed during the funeral of former Dynamos goalkeeper George Chigova.
