Johnson Progress

Newly promoted Castle Lager Premier Soccer League outfit FC Hunters have been handed a daunting cup assignment after being drawn against Harare giants Dynamos and CAPS United in the Chibuku Super Cup and the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup respectively.

The ambitious newcomers, nicknamed Vavhimi, will first confront Dynamos in a potentially explosive Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final at Rufaro Stadium today before meeting CAPS United in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup in the coming weeks, following a draw conducted on Thursday morning.

While the Harare giants have seemingly reserved their best form for the Chibuku Super Cup, their first-round exit in the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup alongside Highlanders suggests the cup competitions could offer opportunities for the league’s emerging sides.

Dynamos have made the Chibuku Super Cup their personal fiefdom, lifting the trophy a record three successive seasons, a run of dominance that prompted the sponsors to seek a new piece of silverware.

The Glamour Boys are unbeaten in 14 consecutive matches in the competition and underlined their intent for a fourth straight crown by crushing TelOne 4-1 in the first round last month.

Standing between Dynamos’ Romanian technical director Aristica Cioaba and a trophy in his maiden dance with Zimbabwean football is a quarter-final hurdle presented by FC Hunters coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera and his youthful charges.

Despite the weight of history stacked against his side, Saruchera remains defiant, insisting his players will not be intimidated by DeMbare’s formidable record in the competition.

“Dynamos have dominated this competition in recent years, but they achieved that before we were here. We are here now and that presents a new challenge,” Saruchera declared.

“We respect what Dynamos have achieved, but we are not going into the match thinking about their history. Our focus is on what we can do on the day.”

The veteran coach, a former Black Rhinos player and mentor, believes his squad has matured into a more balanced outfit since eliminating Herentals 1-0 in the first round through Michael Tapera’s second-half strike.

He pointed to the competition for places across the team as a source of confidence ahead of Sunday’s showdown.

“We have a good team now, and with the resources available, we believe we are well prepared to give our best in this match,” Saruchera said.

“We have worked hard to build a balanced side, and there is competition in different areas of the team. That gives us confidence going into a big cup game like this.”

The FC Hunters tactician acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge, particularly against a side that has built its recent success on navigating knock-out football, including tight encounters where there is little margin for error.

Nevertheless, he stressed that his players must approach the game with belief and determination.

“This is a knock-out competition, and we have to approach the game with belief and determination. We are positive that if we execute our game plan and

we are coming up against a club with experience in this competition, but we believe in the quality we have within our squad. For us, this is an opportunity to show how far we have come as a team.”

Meanwhile, CAPS United have already booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Chibuku Super Cup after edging ZPC Kariba 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time at Rufaro on Saturday.

The Green Machine had previously overcome Simba Bhora 3-2 in the earlier round, while ZPC Kariba eliminated Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0.

In other quarter-final action, Highlanders host MWOS at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday, with Bosso securing their passage via a penalty shoot-out victory over Chicken Inn following a goalless first-round draw.

Another potentially explosive tie pits Scottland against Hardrock, but that quarter-final has been shelved for this weekend as Mabviravira are away in Eswatini on CAF Champions League duties, having qualified for the next round after a 1-0 aggregate victory.

The match will now be played next Wednesday.

For FC Hunters, the coming weeks represent a defining examination of their Premiership credentials, with Saruchera’s men determined to make their presence felt among the elite.