BY BHEKIMPILO WEZA
When Champions League games began, every team wanted to be in the finals and none was willing to give Lupinyo Bullets a chance at that stage, but the team from a small village has found itself in the finals against a most assembled Indlovu Iyanyathela from the Monde League.
The two teams will square up in what has been dubbed a David and Golliath affair at Sinyore Stadium in Chidobe on Sunday.
Indlovu are the champions of Monde League and have a bulk of former Division One players who are well known to cause problems in any game provided their presence.
Ricardo Ncube, who is a goalkeeper and one of the players in the running for the keeper of the tournament and player of the tournament, once featured for Hwange Football Club as a reserve keeper to the teams first choice.
By the time, Hwange was in the First Division and they have since clinched the championship and have been promoted to the elite Premier League.
His skills as a goal minder were evidenced last weekend when they knocked Chidobe Kachecheti Champions, Dragons out of the cup through a penalty shoot out.
Ricardo saved the first three penalties and converted the winner to send Indlovu to the finals.
They also have Thabani Moyo who has been brilliant throughout the competition, often backed by Adrian Nyoni and their top challenger Bongani Ndlovu who was the league top scorer in the just ended Mosi League with twenty eight goals.
For them to lift the trophy ,they will have to guard against Lupinyo Bullets marauding strikers Tyrol Ncube and Brightman Dube who were top joint scorers in the championship build-up games.
Lupinyo also have Mthokozisi Sibanda to pin their hopes on as they march towards their first ever trophy since their formation ten years ago.
Meanwhile Dragons and Masters will meet in a third place play off before the finals.
The Championship cup is sponsored to the tune of US$500 and only top four teams from the two leagues Chika and Mosi qualified.
lt is expected to expand to other leagues like Mvuthu Football League and Jambezi Football League next season.
There will be medals for the top three teams and a trophy for the winners.
Awards for the player of the tournament, goalkeeper of the game, most disciplined player, top scorer and the coach of the season will also be presented.
The cup is sponsored by Victoria Falls Veterinary Service, Agricultural Zone and Chidobe Business Complex.