mbulelo smpofu
Innocent Kurira, innocent.kurira@chronicle.co.zw
THE battle for supremacy begins today as four newly promoted teams clash in the inaugural Champion of Champions tournament at Bata Stadium in Gweru.
ZPC Hwange (Southern Region), Kwekwe United (Central Region), Triangle United (Eastern Region), and Scottland (Northern Region) vie for the title, eager to flex their muscles ahead of next year’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign.
The Champion of Champions, a tournament organised by the four Zifa regions, will be hosted by the Zifa Central Region and played in a knockout format.
Kwekwe United will take on Triangle in the first semi-final at noon followed by the anticipated Scottland versus ZPC Hwange in the second semi-final.
The tournament is about clubs showcasing their talent as part of their preparations for PSL action. It is also meant to provide a platform for football fans to appreciate and enjoy the quality and competitiveness of the Division One leagues, which are a feeder to the elite PSL.
Scottland are odds-on favourites given the quality and experience in their squad. The flamboyant Scottland, fresh from securing a place among the big boys, are eager to confirm their superiority over other newcomers.
Under the guidance of Genesis Mangombe, who according to reports will be leading the team for the last time, Scottland’s star-studded line-up is poised to make a statement.
The likes of Allen Gahadzikwa, crowd-puller Denver Mukamba, talented midfielder King Nadolo, and winger Leroy Mavunga will undoubtedly bring their A-game, making Scottland a force to be reckoned with.
Zifa Southern Region spokesperson, Blessing Mbwanda, said they are confident ZPC Hwange will perform well in the competition.
“We are thrilled to see ZPC Hwange making it to the topflight league and we couldn’t be more excited to see them compete in this four-team tournament. As the Southern Region, we’ve had a tough year, watching three of our teams being relegated. It’s been a bitter pill to swallow but we’re hoping that ZPC Hwange’s success will be the perfect antidote.
“We’ve always known that ZPC Hwange had the potential to make it big, and now that they’ve finally leapt into the topflight league, we’re expecting great things from them. This tournament is the perfect opportunity for them to make a statement and show the rest of the league what they’re capable of. We’re confident because they have the talent, the skill, and the determination to come out on top.”
As the tournament kicks off, the Southern Region will be watching with bated breath whether ZPC Hwange can restore some pride to the region. Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the region’s football faithful will be loudly cheering for their team.
Fixtures
Saturday, 7 December 2024
Semi-final 1: Kwekwe United FC vs Triangle United FC (12pm)
Semi-final 2: Scotland FC vs ZPC Hwange (3pm)
Sunday, 8 December 2024
Third-place play-off: Loser of semi-final 1 vs Loser of semi-final 2 (12pm)
Final: Winner of semi-final 1 vs Winner of semi-final 2 (3pm)
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