The Sunday News
Allan Foti, Sports Correspondent
REBELS are in their second successive final and will be looking to defend their title against a Golden Hotspurs team that won it in 2015 when the two neighbourhood rivals clash in the annual Townshend and Butcher Trophy at Barbourfields Stadium this morning.
The final will kick-off at 11am and is the 60th edition of the Townshend and Butcher Trophy and promises to full be of fire and passion. In Hotspurs, Rebels face one of their fiercest rivals in the Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (Bafa) league and both sides are brimming with confidence as another hard fought encounter between the two looms. Hotspurs coach, Kervin “Giggs” Sakutukwa did not mince his words ahead of the final, declaring war on his rival Zwelibanzi Gumpo’s charges. Sakutukwa described the final as an opportunity for his team to reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
“We are ready to take back our title. When Rebels won it, they won it because we did not play in the league last year. Unfortunately for Rebels, we have no injuries in the team and everyone is champing on the bit at the chance to reclaim our title. Now it’s time for them to return to Caesar what is rightfully Caesar’s,” Sakutukwa said.
The former Tongogara defender said his team thrives on teamwork and does not have a single player who sticks out.
Rebels’ vice-chairman, Ralph ‘‘Drogba’’ Maphar dismissed Sakutukwa’s boisterous claims and declared that his team had the players and the desire to defend the title.
“We all know that Hotspurs are full of hot air. This is just bluster and they know it. Today is the day of reckoning. It’s not just about the trophy, but bragging rights as well. These guys are our neighbours and the final will be a very bruising battle for either side,” Drogba countered.
The final will be preceded by a third-place play-off pitting Madamara and current Bafa League log leaders, Safeguard at 9am. Bafa vice-chairman, Charles Chunda urged football fans to come in their numbers for what is expected to be a festival of passionate football. He also took the opportunity to commend Townshend and Butcher for the continued support of amateur football in the city. Chunda added that the league had ensured that each match would be handled by different match officials.
“We are looking forward to a festival of football and I urge all football fans to come in their numbers. I promise that the two matches will be exciting and we don’t anticipate any problems. We have also ensured that each match will have its own set of match officials to promote fair play,” Chunda told Sunday News Sport.
Peter Leondios, the Townshend and Butcher managing director revealed that the company has spent about $3 000 towards making the tournament a success. He said this year Townshend and Butcher would be providing a set of playing kit for each of the four teams that will be playing this morning.
“We have invested about $3 000 to make sure that the teams are happy and that the tournament is run successfully. Most of the money has gone towards paying match officials, grounds for the early rounds, the teams’ kits, winners’ medals. We have also arranged refreshments for the finals for all participating teams,” Leondios said.
