HARARE – The much-awaited football action roars into life this weekend after a year and two months of a Covid-19 induced hiatus when Castle Lager Premier Soccer League teams clash in the Chibuku Super Cup tournament.

On Saturday, Bulawayo City take on Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium at 11 AM while Caps United will clash with Yadha FC at the National Sports Stadium at 3 PM.

Mandava Stadium will host FC Platibun and Whawha FC at 3 PM while Black Rhinos will slug it out with Tenax Cs FC at Sakubva Stadium, also at 3 PM.

And on Sunday, defending champions Highlanders will at 1 PM play Bulawayo Chiefs at Barbourfields; Ngezi Platinum square off against Triangle United at Mandava Stadium at 11 AM as Harare City date ZPC Kariba at the National Sports Stadium at the same time.

Dynamos clash with Herentals at the National Sports Stadium at 3 PM while Manica Diamonds play Cranborne Bullets at Sakubva Stadium at the same time.

A total of 40 matches are lined up in the US$375,000 cup where winners and runner-ups will proceed to the quarter-final.

The winners will pocket US$75 000. The runners-up will pocket US$50,000 while the two losing semi-finalists will walk away with US$25,000 each.

The losing quarter-finalists will get US$15,000 while the 10 teams that won’t make it past the group stages will get US$7,000 apiece.

Veteran sports journalist and broadcaster Charles Mabika said Friday he expects surprises as teams are coming from a long break.

“Traditionally, cup games have been intriguing and bring elements of surprises. It is not about how a team is big, but what is produced on the day of action,” Mabika said.

“There has been a lot of excitement ever since it was announced by the government that it had lifted restrictions on the sport. The country’s number one sport, football’s resumption is unbelievable and people can’t wait for the games to kick off.

“People are starved of their local game. They were having to do with the English Premiership, the Spanish La Liga and the Italian Serie A which is not really their kettle of fish,” the sportscaster said.

Mabika opined that FC Platinum “start as favourites to win this one because they are still the best team in the country, but again cup games are unpredictable,” adding, “one has to look at last week’s English Premiership result where Leicester City beat Chelsea to win the FA Cup.”

Chibuku Super Cup Fixtures

Group 1
Venue: National Sports Stadium/Harare
Teams (6): Dynamos, CAPS United, Herentals, Harare City, ZPC Kariba and Yadah FC

Group 2
Venue: Barbourfields/Bulawayo
Teams (4): Highlanders, Chicken Inn, Bulawayo Chiefs, Bulawayo

Group 3
Venue: Sakubva/Mutare
Teams (4): Manica Diamonds, Tenax, Black Rhinos, Cranbourne Bullets

Group 3
Venue: Mandava/Zvishavane
Teams (4): FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum, Triangle, Whawha

Quarter Finals
Winner Group 1 vs Runner Group 3
Winner Group 3 vs Runner Group 1
Winner Group 2 vs Runner Group 4
Winner Group 4 vs Runner Group 2