BATTLE OF THE GIANTS

Sat, 14 Oct 2017 10:44:05 +0000

…as Barclays Cup war enters finals stage

By Michael Miyoba

BARCLAYS Cup, Zambia’s only cup competition comes to life this afternoon with NAPSA Stars, Zesco United, Zanaco and Lusaka Dynamos battling it out for a final slot of the K350 000 rich tournament which involves six teams from the super league and two from the lower divisions.

After having won the tournament in 2012, NAPSA will seek to make their second appearance in the finals when they host defending champions Zesco who walloped the Buchi Boys Kitwe United 1-nil in their quarter final fixture played at Nkana Stadium.

NAPSA are in the semifinals after having beaten Green Buffaloes 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinal fixture recently played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

NAPSA coach Linos Makwaza said the game would be tough as both teams were looking forward to qualifying to the finals.

Makwaza said his boys were ready to face the defending champions as they had prepared adequately for the game.

“We are ready for Zesco United. We know that they are a big team but we are ready for them. We anticipate a very tough game,

“Our target is to qualify to the finals of the Barclays Cup therefore the game against Zesco is very crucial to us because we want to put our hands on the trophy,” Makwaza said.

Meanwhile, Zanaco who advanced first to the semifinals following a walkover result against two-times, Barclays Cup champions Power Dynamos, will host Lusaka Dynamos in the second semifinal fixture at Nkoloma Stadium.

Zanaco will target victory over Lusaka Dynamos to increase their chances of winning the cup for the first time.

 The bankers would wish to maintain their perfect run after having humbled City of Lusaka 4-1 in a league fixture played last Wednesday at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.

Patrick Phiri’s Lusaka Dynamos are also itching to turn the tables against Zanaco to make their maiden appearance in the finals of the cup.