Simba Bhora coach Arthur 'Tuts' Tutani is not looking at exerting revenge on Herentals U20 when the two clubs clash in the Axis Super8 Cup semi finals at Morris Sports Depot stadium on Saturday.
The last time the two sides met in the league, there were insults traded with Herentals U20 coach Paul Benza taunting Simba Bhora after the 2-0 victory saying that there was no way his side was going to lose to a team with 'old people'.
Tutani said he has buried the hatchet and is not looking at proving anything against Benza's team.
" Herentals U20 coach said a lot of things about us after the match but we are not looking into that," Tutani said.
" This is football and you can never look at revenging, you just focus on yourself, play to win. We are not interested in any sideshows. We just want to play entertaining football. All is well in our camp, we don't have any injuries, and all the players are available for selection."
Simba Bhora have already shown their intent, scoring four goals past Chegutu Pirates in the quarter finals with their chief striker Tinashe Balakasi scoring a brace while Barnabas Mushunje and Ghanaian import Michael Debrah weighed in with the other goals.
The Shamva based club returns to Morris Depot, a stadium they lost their first league match of the season, needing to atone for that defeat. But Herentals U20 are also looking at having another win over them with Benza saying they want to give the fans and the sponsors value for their money.
" We are going into this clash without any pressure at all but just to give our best. We will fight to the last whistle because Simba Bhora are a well oiled team with a number of experienced players," Benza said.
" League games and cup games are different so we are not getting carried away with what happened in the league. Simba Bhora are a strong team with experienced players and veteran coaches but we are promising fans a good entertaining match."
Herentals U20 which has the meanest defence in the league having just conceded only seven goals in 16 games of the first half of the season, scrapped through to the semi finals with a penalty shoot out win over Black Mambas. The match had ended 1-1 in regulation time.
Simba Bhora who has stuttered away from home, have been buoyed by the arrival of experienced coach Paul 'Popopo' Chimalizeni as one of the assistants to Tutani. The clash against Herentals U20 will be his second match since joining Simba Bhora.
On Sunday Golden Eagles welcome Trojan Stars at Ellis Robbins after seeing off Ngezi Platinum Stars U19 in the quarter finals last weekend. Trojan Stars who had a fairytale run in the past matches are the only team outside the top four to push this far.
Source: ZIMSPORTS CONNECT 93