By Sports Reporter
NGEZI Platinum Stars and FC Platinum dominated the Chibuku Super Cup after they progressed to the semifinals of the country’s premier cup competition with victories in their respective quarterfinal matches at Baobab Stadium Saturday.
Norman Mapeza’s FC Platinum side capped off a dominant day for the platinum miners after they knocked out defending champions Highlanders after clinching a hard-fought 1-0 in the second quarter-final clash.
Highlanders had the best chance of the opening half when Washington Navaya came face to face with Petros Mhari and fired straight at the goalkeeper after he was sent through Bukhosi Sibanda.
Bosso would go on to rue missing that chance after the Zvishavane-based side got their goal in the second half from young Panashe Mutimbanyoka.
The 19-year-old Mutimbanyoka showed composure after getting to the of another young star Kelvin Mangiza’s dangerous cross into the box, calmly controlling the ball before sidestepping his marker and firing into the roof of the match net.
“It was a good game of football. I think possession-wise we did very well. The only challenge we had was in the finals third. I think we were not creative especially in the first half,” an elated Mapeza said after the match.
“But come second half I told those boys at the wings that you are not going to take any risks we are not going to create those opportunities. Lucky enough inside five minutes of the second half we managed to get that goal.
“And that penalty miss, it’s part of the game and after that (Donald) Teguru missed another good opportunity. I think we still need to work more on that final third,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the early kickoff at Baobab Stadium, Denver Mukamba was the hero for Ngezi Platinum again after scoring a world-class free-kick to help his side come back from a goal down to knock Chicken Inn out of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Mukamba who has rediscovered his form under coach Rodwell Dhlakama canceled out Chicken Inn’s opener through substitute Brian Muza.
After Mukamba’s equaliser, Ngezi completed their comeback through Nyasha Chinturi, who headed home Bruno Mtigo seven minutes before the break.
Chicken Inn were the stronger of the two teams after the halftime break as they came back determined to get the equalizer.
They were almost rewarded in the 63rd minute when they got a very good opportunity, only for Muza to blaze his effort from close range, over the bar.
In the end, the Rodwell Dhlakama-coached Ngezi Platinum Stars side held on to book a semi-final spot.
Meanwhile, in Chibuku Super quarterfinal matches scheduled for Sunday, Cranbourne Bullets take on Harare City in the early kickoff match at Baobab before unbeaten Dynamos clash with Black Rhinos in the 3 pm kickoff at the same venue.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Football News Click Here
