HARARE - The small mining town of Zvishavane has been engulfed in a wave of euphoria ahead of the Mbada Diamonds Cup quarter-final clash between local rivals FC Platinum and Shabanie Mine on Saturday.

The excitement has reached fever pitch that the two sets of supporters where yesterday set to convene a meeting in an attempt to ease mounting tension ahead of the quarter-final clash.

Platinum are technically the home team on Saturday.

 Shabanie are by far the oldest team in Zvishavane but have played second fiddle to Platinum in the Premiership.

The Chinda Boys are yet to beat the platinum miners in a league tie. Their only win was in a pre-season invitational tournament organised by platinum last year.

Following their grand entrance into the top flight last season, in which they almost won the league title in their maiden season, Platinum have endured a torrid a torrid season this term and currently occupy seventh place with 38 points with five games to go

Their home record has not been particularly good, sparking off talk that Mandava Stadium is cursed.

“This is a very serious derby considering what is at stake” Shabanie Mine supporter Bernard Sithole told the Daily News yesterday.

“Every match we play against our neighbours is fiercely contested but I believe we are at an advantage in playing them at their home, they haven’t been getting the best of results this season at Mandava.”

Neutrals resident in Zvishavane have also weighed in with their assessment of Saturday’s game. Highlanders supporter Colin Shumba applauded efforts of a round table by the two sets of supporters as a noble idea.