RUBBER CITY WINTER CUP ROARS TO LIFE .

By Peter Chidaz Chidarikire .

Nppl Correspondent.

It is that time again were the battle for supremacy in the Nppl is set to unfold.The Rubber City winter cup group stages are set to kick of on the 24th of August 2024 .With the tune of usd 1500 at stake an increase from last year's edition which had usd 1000, all the Nppl teams will be battling to qualify for a spot in the  last eight,  thanks to our sponsor Reginald Hwata.Mr Hwata is committed in making sure that Nppl becomes the highest brand in Zimbabwe and across boarders."As long as you maintain discipline and professionalism l promise you that l will not stop sponsoring.The Rubber City tournament is going to be an annual event and the stakes will be bigger and better each year provided we work as  one united family with one common vision of improving the Nppl brand.I would also like to encourage the youngsters  to stay away from drugs and substance abuse as this will not only ruin there careers but their lives at large," he said.

The Nppl Secretary General Laston Manene has this to say  "On behalf of the entire NPPL community, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous sponsorship of this year's winter cup. Your increased contribution of $1500, up from $1000 last year, demonstrates your unwavering support for our tournament and the development of sports in our region.Rubber City's commitment to nurturing sporting talent and fostering community engagement is truly commendable, and we are honored to have them as a key partner in our endeavors. Your sponsorship enables us to provide a platform for our poolers to showcase competition, promote friendship among participants, and organize a successful event for sports enthusiasts.

We value the ongoing partnership with Rubber City and look forward to continuing our collaboration to promote sports excellence and community spirit. Your support plays a vital role in making our winter cup a memorable and successful event, and we are truly grateful for your contribution each year.  shares the same sentiments of making sure that he drives the Nppl brandy to greater heights,".

Four venues namely  Bnb Mabvuku,Bnb Ruwa,Leisure Centre and Mega 1 have been selected to host the intriguing qualifiers were boys will be separated from men.It will be dog eat dog scenario come the 24th.All the matches will played on a round robbin basis with the top two teams from each group proceeding to the last eight.

Group A qualifiers will be hosted at Bnb Magaffer Bar in Tafara.The group will feature the hosts Bnb Magaffer, Ellussion, Killarz and Usb .Led by its captain Wenston (Hwezha) Matsika ,Magaffer will be hoping to use home advantage for its birth to the last eight."I am sure we are going to win because we cannot afford to lose in front of our supporters and we also want  revenge on Ellusion and qualify to the next round. We will come guns blazing and  beat Killerz and Usb with big margins," he elluded.However, Ellussion on the other hand will be looking to complete a double on the 'Gaffers' who they once clobbered 18 nill in a league match at the same venue populary known as 'Bhenabhawa' thereby boosting their chances of progressing to the last eight.With their talisman Escha Chimbwanda fresh from wining the 7th edition of NEPAZ held in Bietbridge  and also with the availability of Pakanati Jimu and Sakala ,it is promising to be a day filled with pool prowess.Garnacho from Ellussion said that,"We will leave everything on the table and make Ellussion 73 fans proud. Your energy and support fuel our passion for the game hapa mihwe mihwe,".Additionaly Killarz will be also  looking forward to cause some upsets .With  Wasela leading the way, it is  not going to be a walk in the park for its opponents.Byron from Killaz has this to say ," It's going to be a good run, Killarz is promising fireworks in the group stages. With a number of young underrated potting machines in the likes of Jefta, newly signed star added to the mix Eshca Jr. As a team we are very prepared to showcase great cue skill to go into the Super 8. It is also going to be a matter of strategy with our two seasoned Captains in Wasela and Argomas,".Usb will be hoping to turn their fortunes and use the platform to redeem themselves hopefully they will come with a new pack of cards."I know that everyone is looking down upon us as we  have only managed a point in the entire first half of the season against Players pool club and  as we approach Rubber City tournament definitely we will be underdogs, but i want assure you that we want to surprise the powerhouse of the cue ball that is Ellusion 73.The likes of Killarz and BnB Maggafer which are the other teams in our group stages are average teams just like USB so we promise the fans that definitely we are going beyond the group stages," Dube  echoed.

Group B will include Mega 1 ,Niceday Select  and Players.As the hosts ,as well as  the defending champions Mega 1 will be hoping to qualify as it is led by the seasoned maestro in the form of Benjamin 'Mastelo' Mabhugu.Currently sitting on position three on the Nppl log ,Mega 1 are positive about qualifying to the last eight.Benjie has this to say " We are ready to defend the tittle ,I feel we are favourites in our group and confident that we will go all the way to the finals. We have made two new signings to strengthen the team . Godknows Tsuro ( Mutoriro) from Tigers and Cliffton Changunda ( Zhang) better known as Kedha from Shoverland (Mutare). These guys are not new in the game . They are experienced and am confident that their addition to the team will make the difference,". Coming all the way from Southelea park is Niceday Select and Simbarashe has this to say "As Niceday Select, we have had a bad start to the season due to some technicalities. In the league, we played Mega 1 and held them to a 9-9 draw but surprisingly got the defeat of our lifetime from the underdogs Players at their home ground.The will to conquer is the first condition of victory, we are going to turn tables at this Rubbercity cup and surprise everyone. We have never reached the finals but this year we are coming for the big prize no matter how difficult  it might seem to be.We believe in ourselves and we believe we can do it,".Players Pool club led  by the Prince himself and with the support of the Nppl Secretary General Lastone Manene they are  coming in as party spoillers.And from Prince using the mother language he just said "Ah to our fans tinongoti this is our first cup tirikutoda mari iyoyo,"The group is expected to have thrills and spills.

Group C consists  of current table topers Bnb Ruwa,Muridziwenyaya and Uz Vikings.As table topers Bnb Ruwa looks set to prove to the world why they are on top .With their no nonsense mood ,Bnb can be considered group favourites with the likes of Kadiki,Matope and King Alfred in the fold . However,it is not over until it is over .Rogders Simango needs to make sure that his asernal is well oiled as the battle will not be just a walk in the park.Asked for a comment King Joe from Bnb ruwa responded by saying "Firstly  l would like to thank the sponsor who had made it possible for the tournament to happen and may the lord almight continue to richly bless the hand that gives.We are going to take each and every  game as it comes and show the world what we are made of.Currently we are the log leaders and we want to show the world why we are not inside but on top ,".Muridziwenyaya hopefully for their name sake will take matters into their own hands and manage to qualify .Martin needs to inspire his players if they are serious about their progression. They can cause upsets if they believe in themselves.Asked about how they are taking the Rubber City tournament  Martin just said ," Hapamihwe mihwe panochohwa munhu ," which transalates to ,noone should stand in front of them as there will be consequences. He went on tho say that there will be fireworks. He agreed that they had a difficult start of the first half of the season but on this one they are a force to reckon with  .For Uz Vikings Devon has this to say "The University of Zimbabwe, the Vikings Pool Club is gearing up to unleash a formidable force on the Rubber City Tournament. Our team has transformed into a powerhouse of unrelenting ferocity, leaving behind the days of being underestimated. We are now a force to be reckoned with, a juggernaut driven by unbridled passion and skill. Opponents, beware: we are no longer the pushovers of yesterday. Our students have matured into fierce warriors, ready to gore any team that dares stand in our way. We're not just playing for victory – we're on a mission to cause upsets,".

Group D comprises of Blazers,Leisure Centre,Legends and Pahukama.With the letter D the group can also be considered to be the group of death .As hosts, Leisure centre needs to show teams that they do not play pool for Leisure but to win .With a smile on his face Stanely Mako (Delete) has this to say,"All what I can say is Leisure is the best team in the world and we are winning this one without any doubts only time will tell".Blazers are also on the resurgence,hopefully they will come guns blazing .Uzaman had only a few words to say, " Nothing much but suprise wins from the underdog," .Legends as their name says needs to show that a team of pool legends can not be dismantled easily. Boosted by their win against Magaffer in the last game of the first half of the league ,Legends are proving to be no push overs.Mr Muza the Legends Vice captain has this to say " We are in group of death but  it's anyone's game though, we just need to treat every game seriously and  we will take the big guys to the wire,".Pahukama led by non other than Tanaka and boasted by the arrival of new signing Blessings 'Bhibhidho ' Muzaruwi ,are also looking to book  a ticket to the last eight. Despite their slogan Pahukama Pahushamwari ,they seem not to do so on the table as they devour their opponents like hungry Lions.Tanaka had this  to say "Pahukama to lift is  a must though  it wont be a walk in the park .We will also be parading our new signings such as Blessing Bhibhidho and Pele  so expect fire works from group stages up to to the final,".

All eyes will be on Nppl come the 24th of August . People from all works of life will be treated to spectacular cue skills from all the four venues hosting this prestigious Rubber  City group stages tournament.

God is love .