Fri, 27 Oct 2017 10:33:47 +0000
…as finalists Zanaco FC and NAPSAStars say tomorrow’s battle is a 50-50 affair
By Grace Chaile Lesoetsa
THE combatants in tomorrow’s 2017 Barclays Cup final, ZANACO and NAPSA Stars have described it as a 50-50 affair with each side aiming to claim the trophy and K350, 000 prize money.
Zanaco assistant coach David Chilufya said the team was not under-pressure to win the cup whose battlefield has been set for the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Chilufya said the bankers would ensure to perform better than last year when they lost 0-2 to Zesco United in the final.
“Our target is to win both the Super League title and Barclays Cup. This time we are more than prepared for the tournament. We have not won the title in the last 10 years and we are determined to break the jinx,” he said.
He said the players were mentally and physically ready to handle NAPSA.
“The players have been psyched, so we are not under-pressure. It will be a 50-50 affair,” Chilufya said.
But NAPSA coach Linos Makwaza said his team would not allow the Cup to slip off their finger at any cost.
Makwaza said with the team’s current position in the Super League, they have what it takes to lift the trophy tomorrow.
“Our focus is to win the title, which will raise the clubs profile. We have to break the title dry spell though it will be a tough encounter. We do not fear Zanaco, but ready to take up the challenge thrown at us,” he said.
Meanwhile, Barclays Bank Zambia marketing and citizenship manager Chavunga Lungu said the level of competition had tremendously improved since the inception of the tournament.
“The competition has grown and teams have become more competitive. We are happy with the quality of football from the teams and the winning spirit,” he said.
The winners will pocket K350, 000 while the runners up will walk away with K180, 000.
There will be a K15, 000 prize for the coach and player of the tournament while for each game the Man of the Match has been walking away with a K5, 000 prize.
