Bosso, Dembare winner to pocket $100 000

Winners of the Bob 89 Super Cup will receive $100 000 prize money while losing finalists will walk away with $70 000.

The move by the organisers should encourage big companies to invest more in football.

The country's traditional soccer giants Highlanders and Dynamos will battle it out in the final which is being played over two legs.

Barbourfields Stadium will on Sunday play host to the first leg with the final set for Rufaro Stadium in a fortnight’s time.

The Bob 89 Super Cup competition is part of the celebrations to mark President Mugabe's birthday. He turns 89 on 21 February.

Last year, the organisers had a budget of $200 000 with the tournament having four clubs — FC Platinum, Hwange, Dynamos and Motor Action.

In a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, Valentine Gwenzi a member of the organising team responsible for administration and finance, said clubs and fans were in for a big treat.

"President Mugabe's birthday is an important day on our calendar and as organisers for such a big event, we want this competition to be a trend-setter for our domestic football. According to our budget, the winners will get $100 000 while runners-up will take home $70 000. However, should we get more sponsors, we might increase the prize money.

"We hope the prize money at stake will motivate the two teams to give the fans and sponsors value for their money," said Gwenzi.

The winners of the tournament will get $30 000 more than what the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions, DeMbare got. The league title is competed for by 16 teams.

The prize money will definitely go a long way in terms of assisting Highlanders and Dynamos as they prepare for the 2013 season.

DeMbare and Bosso are clashing for the first in this tournament started three years ago.

FC Platinum won the 2012 edition after beating Hwange in the final.

Hwange had sensationally knocked out Dynamos in the semi-final played at Barbourfields Stadium while FC Platinum got the better of Motor Action in the other clash at Sakubva.

Highlanders and Dynamos who played host to South African Premiership side Mamelodi Sundowns will also use the Bob Super Cup to assess their squads ahead of the 2013 season kickoff.

DeMbare start their season early as they are participating in the Caf Champions League.

Dynamos coach Callisto Pasuwa is expected to use the first leg of the final to fine-tune his team before their Caf Champions League game.

DeMbare start their campaign in the preliminary stage at home on 17 February against Lesotho Correctional Services with the return leg set for the weekend of 1-3 March.

The Harare giants are tipped to easily progress to the first round where a stern test awaits them as they will face the winner between Club Berzetin of Tunisia and Ettihad of Libya.

The North Africans have always been tricky opponents for Southern African teams.

If they manage to clear the first round hurdle, Dynamos will square off with Caf Champions League Cup holders Al Ahly of Egypt in the second round.

Pasuwa has retained most of his players from last season and they will pin their hopes on goalkeeper George Chigova, defence stalwart Patson Jaure, Ocea Mushure, Thomas Magorimbo, Cliff Sekete and skipper Tawanda Muparati who were part of the team that played in the 1-1 draw against Highlanders last season.

The legion of Dynamos fans in Bulawayo are obviously looking forward to seeing their team's new acquisition, Ugandan striker Boban Zirintusa in action.

Highlanders have also retained their squad with former Lancashire Steel and Motor Action winger Fortune "Fokoza" Ncube, ex-skipper Gilbert Banda and lanky striker Thabani Moyo formerly with Bantu Rovers and also had stints in Cyprus being notable faces that are trying their luck at Bosso.

Moyo was featured for Highlanders during the 2-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns and failed to stamp his authority forcing Kaindu to substitute him.

Two Zambian players, Norman Munthali and Edward Kachali have been training with Highlanders and might be given some game time on Sunday.

Some of the players expected to lead Bosso against Dynamos include skipper Innocent Mapuranga, the club's 2012 Players Player of the Year Eric Mudzingwa, Ariel Sibanda who won the league's Goalkeeper of the Year accolade, Lawson Nkomo and Bruce Tshuma.

Castle Lager 2012 Soccer Star of the Year finalists Masimba Mambare and Mthulisi Maphosa, Bhekimpilo Ncube, Peter 'Rio' Moyo, Milton Ncube, Heritein Masuku, Graham Ncube and Young Warriors' Knox Mutizwa also played.

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