Chegutu Pirates coach Richard Chunga has declared that his club is in the Axis Super 8 Cup to win it not to accompany other teams to the podium.
Chunga said Chegutu Pirates are a big brand not only in the league but in the country hence they must match it on the field of play by winning the cup tournament which starts this weekend.
“Obviously the target is to win the Cup. Chegutu Pirates is not a small club, it’s a big club so when we are presented with such an opportunity to play in a cup tournament, we have to win it,” Chunga said.
Despite the resource constraints which has seen the club arriving at almost all their away matches just before kick off as they have been relying on contributions for travel expenses, Chegutu Pirates have soldiered on, securing a seventh position finish at the end of the first half of the season, nine points behind log leaders Golden Eagles.
The Axis Super8 Cup provides the club popularly known as Dzinza with an opportunity to ease their financial worries.
“This is a knockout tournament and it’s different from the league so every team that participates in it has equal chances to win it and we also fancy our chances.
“One aspect that I know will help us is experience. We have a number of experienced players who know how to manage situations like these given that a Cup tournament is more or less like a money game.
“The experience of guys like Raphael Manuvire, Simba Domingo, Gift Mwinga, Lewis Milanzi, Eddington Phiri and Mutomba. The youthful players will also come in handy,”added Chunga.
The draw for the Axis Super8 Cup will be conducted today (Wednesday) at Axis Solutions company premises in Harare.
Axis Solutions will also sponsor individual awards with the player of the tournament getting USD$500, goalkeeper of the tournament USD$300, top goal scorer of the tournament USD$300 and coach of the tournament USD$400.
In addition to sponsoring the Super8 Cup, Axis Solutions will also provide technology assistance to the league.
Axis Solutions Managing Director Brian Mukudzavhu said with the professionalism shown by the Northern Region Soccer League teams, the Axis Super8 Cup is going to be a good platform to market both brands.
“While other corporates normally invest their resources in the top flight league, the Premier Soccer League, we have found it prudent to set our sights on one of the best run League in Zimbabwe and that is Northern Region.
“We are convinced in the level of professionalism that we have seen so far and we have no doubt that this association will surely grow our market share in the country,” Mukudzavhu said
The eight participating teams are Golden Eagles, Simba Bhora, Herentals U20, Black Mambas, Commando Bullets, Ngezi Platinum Stars U19, Chegutu Pirates and Trojan Stars.
The top four, Golden Eagles, Herentals U20, Simba Bhora and Commando Bullets will be seeded while the other four teams will be in the other pot.
