RUSTENBURG Zimbabwes galaxy of football players plying their trade in the South African Premiership will put nationality aside as they square up against each other in the last 16 encounters of the lucrative Telkom Cup, which will get underway this weekend.
The South African Premier League is home to 20 Zimbabwean players, and the bulk of them will be in action as their respective clubs seek glory in one of the countrys premier knockout tournaments.
Warriors goalkeeper Tapiwa Kapini and fellow Platinum Stars teammate Terrence Mandaza will come up against fellow countrymen Esrom Nyandoro, Nyasha Mushekwi, Lionel Mtizwa and Method Mwanjali of Sundowns when the two sides clash on Saturday at Moruleng Stadium.
While Sundowns will be the favourites to win the encounter, Kapini and company will be banking on home advantage as Platinum Stars enjoy a huge following in the North West province.
In another fixture on the same day, Carlington Nyadombo and Ramson Zhuwawo will battle it out against the likes of Knowledge Musona, Tinashe Nengomasha, Thomas Svesve and Jaimu Zhambo when AmaZulu take on Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic believes that the return of all of his international players from national duty will give him more options.
Yes, I am happy that all our international players are back and this will make our task much easier. We lost to Bloemfontein Celtic in the Macufe Cup because of the absence of these players, said Vermozovic, who had to make do without all of his Zimbabwean players who were representing their country in a recent match against Cape Verde Islands.
On Sunday, the duel between Ajax Cape Town and Free State Stars which will be played at Athlone Stadium will see Paul Rusike and Khama Billiat hoping to get the better of Warriors striker Kingston Nkatha in a match that either team is capable of winning.
Meanwhile Energy Murambadoro (BidVest Wits) and Oscar Machapa (Moroka Swallows) will be hoping to play crucial roles for their clubs when they face Santos and Mpumalanga Black Aces respectively in the other last 15 clashes.
Telkom Cup Last 16 Fixtures
BidVest Wits v Santos (BidVest Stadium; October 23 at 1500h), Platinum Stars v Mamelodi Sundowns (Moruleng Stadium; October 23 at 1800h), Supersport United v Vasco Da Gama (Lucas Moripe Stadium; October 23 at 2015h), AmaZulu v Kaizer Chiefs (Moses Mabhida Stadium; October 23 at 2015h), Bloemfontein Celtic v Maritzburg United (Seisa Ramabodu Stadium; October 24 at 1500h), Golden Arrows v Orlando Pirates (Chatsworth Stadium; October 24 at 1500h), Ajax Cape Town v Free State Stars (Athlone Stadium; October 27 at 1930h), Moroka Swallows v Mpumalanga Black Aces (Dobsonville; October 27 at 2000h).
Post published in: Football