The Sunday News
Allan Foti, Sunday News Correspondent
BULAWAYO today comes alive with arguably the biggest football extravaganza in a long time: two Cup semi-final matches at Barbourfields Stadium.
Two of Bulawayo’s own will be in charge of two of the protagonists at BF today. Three of the four semi-finalists have a link with the city. And three of the four clubs have seen this level of competition in recent years.
But before the match officials even blow the whistle to kick off the first of the two Chibuku Super Cup semi finals, questions will have been asked and murmurings will have been heard at drinking holes and among football neutrals in the City of Kings and Queens.
How Mine face Shabanie Mine in the first semi, but it is the Bulawayo City-Harare City encounter that has set tongues wagging in Bulawayo. The two municipality-owned sides have coaches with a history, one could very well feel more than a dash of hatred for his former employers and both definitely have passion. Bulawayo City’s Mandla Mpofu and Harare City’s Philani “Beefy” Ncube are among the country’s brightest coaching prospects and both have received recognition as strategists and scholars of the game. But more than that, Beefy is a former Bulawayo City head coach.
He left the club rather unceremoniously and many will wonder if his desire to win today is just football or a deep, burning scornful wish to see his former pay masters suffer the pain of losing to someone who was their own. Beefy set the foundation for the team that it is today after coaching them from Division One through to the Premiership.
This afternoon’s Chibuku Super Cup semi-final between Bulawayo City and Harare City will be one played not just on the field, but also in the technical areas that house the coaches.
While fans will look forward to two quality matches today, they will also be looking closely at Amakhosi’s “Lulu” Mpofu and the Sunshine Boys’ Beefy, two people whose names are on everyone’s lips today.
Questions like: Will they shake hands? Will they engage in a verbal war on the touchline? Will Beefy be allowed anywhere near the dressing rooms?
What will happen when these two collide at BF today?
Bulawayo City v Harare City
The recent history of this fixture gets fans of either side in a twist before kickoff. The Barbourfields Stadium today is host to a team in peculiar form at the moment. Bulawayo City have looked a revitalised side in several big-game matches: 1-1 at home to Caps United, and 2-0 against Dynamos and 2-1 against How Mine in mid week. But, in the very same month, Amakhosi have lost to Hwange, Tsholotsho and Ngezi Platinum Stars. No less controversial are the Sunshine Boys, whose season looked simple while being anything neither side here has had the rosiest of league run up to this fixture, but a different match beckons, indeed, a new game altogether. The first meeting of the two sides in a cup semi-final is a chance for both sides to pick themselves up after a difficult period that has left both staring at the drop.
Interesting Statistics
Bulawayo City are only in their second year in the Premiership and have consequently only met Harare City four times. Amakhosi have only beaten the Sunshine Boys once while losing two and drawing one. The biggest margin was Harare City’s 2-0 victory in Bulawayo during Bulawayo City’s debut season. Ironically, Beefy was in charge of Bulawayo City when they lost to their rivals from the capital.
That’s not to say that Bulawayo City hasn’t bruised the Sunshine Boys prior to today’s semi-final clash, however. Beefy’s Harare City suffered a 1-0 loss to Bulawayo City in August in a league encounter.
Key Players
Bulawayo City: Ishmael Wadi
The on-loan forward’s form has been back-and-forth at times during his tenure at City, but recent performances may be the beginning of some positive consistency. Wadi has linked well as of late with Newman Sianchali and Sipho Ndlovu, so much so that a position change from Mpofu has come as a result. While Ndlovu is typically an attacking midfielder and Wadi fights for playing time with Sianchali on the right, the Guvnor has moved Wadi into a false nine forward role and slotted the pacy Ndlovu in behind him. The creativity of those two alone is enough to cause concern for opposition, but having quick wingers in Wadi and Sianchali on either side practically guarantees quick transition football and aggressive ball movement into the box.
Wadi has scored four goals and assisted Sianchali once in this recent run of form. He’s been integral going forward for Bulawayo City, especially in the counter attack. With a shaky Harare City back line, he’s sure to find some success at BF on today.
Harare City: Protasho Kabwe
Though the young forward is now a journeyman of note, his latent talent and hard work is there for all to see. He has played for Highlanders, Motor Action, ZPC Kariba and has proven at every club that he is capable of being a star player. However, his consistent itch to move has denied him the chance to cement his place as one of this league’s top players. Protasho has pace, skill and vision, attributes that could well be what the doctor ordered for Beefy to progress to the final.
Prediction
Bulawayo City should see this 90 minutes through, a prediction that will surely cause an outcry from Harare City fans. BF is one of the toughest places to play in the Premier League, and the Sunshine Boys have always looked a bit passionless in most of their matches here. Wadi to shine again for the hosts while Harare City will struggle to create chances and to convert them.
Prediction: Bulawayo City 2-1 Harare City
Chibuku Super Cup Semi-Final
Barbourfields Stadium, Bulawayo
Semi-final 1: How Mine v Shabanie Mine, 1pm
Semi-final 2: Bulawayo City v Harare City, 3pm
