The US$200 000 eight team knock-out tournament was launched last year and the second edition of the countrys richest soccer competition exploded into life last week with Shooting Stars and Bulawayo giants Highlanders booking places in the semi-finals.
Today, two of some of the Premierships best coaches, Elvis Chuchu Chiweshe
and Moses Bambo Chunga, clash in a one-day battle for a ticket to the semi-finals.
Bambo is one of Dynamos most illustrious sons whose dazzling dribbling skills and
ball artistry set alight the Zimbabwean soccer scene in the 80s before he left to play
in the Belgian league.
And when he returned after a cruel injury ended his career prematurely Chunga returned
to his beloved DeMbare briefly before he embarked on a coaching career that has
seen him take charge of such teams as Hackney, Shabanie, Dynamos and CAPS United.
Gunners is his latest stop and he has taken them on an amazing run that has seen
them claim the top slot in the PSL standings, one point ahead of seasoned campaigners Dynamos.
But the man who was affectionately known as the Razorman because of his sharpness
during his playing days is not flattered with the form of his charges in the league.
A cup game is very different from the league, the result on the day is what counts,
Chunga told The Zimbabwean on Sunday.
We are playing well . we are doing well in all areas of our game are and we are planning on defending accordingly and attacking as well. Our philosophy is to
always do the best we can.
Dynamos mentor Chiweshe, whose booming free-kicks also endeared him
to the DeMbare faithful, is expecting a thriller at Rufaro today against an equally
good opponent. But with Dynamos freescoring hit man Cuthbert Malajila back in the country, the Glamour Boys have enough ammunition to bring back the smiles on their supporters faces.
Chuchu however refused to put pressure on the former Highlanders and Chapungu striker, telling The Zimbabwean on Sunday it all goes to the issue of teamwork
unlike in boxing. Chiweshe said: He (Cuthbert Malajila) is a good player, he has scored many goals for the team but there are also others who have contributed to the teams goal tally. It would be unfair to look much up to him as it will put him under unnecessary pressure and also discourage other players. But we will always appreciate
the percentage he has contributed to the team.
Todays winner will meet Shooting Stars on September 13 while the other semi-
final encounter will feature Highlanders and the winner from the Lengthens/
Monomotapa match, on September 5.
The final is scheduled for October 3. The last team standing will walk away US$40 000 richer as the runners-up pocket in US$15 000 and the two semi-finalists will each get
US$6 000 while the quarter finalists will walk away with US$4 000 each.
Holders CAPS United, who won the Charity Shield after outclassing Dynamos 2-
1 a fortnight ago, missed out on a chance to defend their crown after finishing a disappointing 12th in the top-flight league last season.