Highlanders and Chicken Inn face Chibuku Cup derby redemption

Highlanders and Chicken Inn will face each other in a Chibuku Super Cup first-round tie at Barbourfields Stadium this Sunday. Both Bulawayo sides enter the fixture seeking to recover from recent exits in the Munhumutapa Cup.

Highlanders were eliminated from the Munhumutapa Cup by Southerock. Their upcoming cup match offers coach Benjani Mwaruwari a chance to shift the mood following that setback. In the league, Mwaruwari has focused on avoiding the relegation struggles that affected the club last season. Bosso are currently three points away from the 40-point mark required to secure their survival.

Chicken Inn also seek to erase the memory of their recent cup failure. They were unable to score against Ngezi Platinum Stars in their previous competition, eventually losing 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time.

For Highlanders, the match is a pursuit of silverware and pride. While a league title is no longer a possibility, the club remains in contention for a top-eight finish, with a top-four spot still mathematically possible. The cup provides a new avenue for success after the loss of the Munhumutapa Cup.

This derby carries significant weight as both teams prepare for a league encounter scheduled for the following Wednesday. A win on Sunday could provide a psychological edge for the winner heading into the midweek league fixture.

Both clubs arrive at the match needing to avoid another early knockout from a cup competition. The encounter serves as a critical opportunity for both sides to regain momentum in their respective campaigns.