17 goals in Chibuku Super Cup first round

THE 2023 Chibuku Super Cup first round matches that were played last weekend produced a total of 17 goals in open play as compared to last season’s 13.

With three goals under his belt so far, FC Platinum’s Walter Musona, who is the country’s reigning Soccer Star of the Year, leads this year’s cup contest top goal scorers’ charts after he scored a hattrick when Pure Platinum Play thumped Yadah Stars 4-0 in a match that was played at Mandava Stadium.

The two preliminary round matches were played mid last week at Mhondoro’s Baobab Stadium and saw one goal by Yadah Stars when Russell Chifura when they edged Cranborne Bullets.

“It was pleasing to see goals coming thick and fast. It’s a cup competition which has seen players giving out their best and we expect to see more goals. The first round matches went on smoothly and we are greatly looking forward to continue in that spirit,” said Premier Soccer League (PSL) communications and media liaison officer Kudzai Bare.

Musona and Chifura are among the 15 players that managed to grab goals for their respective clubs in a cup competition that was reintroduced in 2014.

Fourteen players Chifura, Emmanuel Paga (Dynamos), Malvin Gaki, Takunda Benhura (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Newman Sianchali (Triangle Utd), Jaun Mutudza (FC Platinum), Genius Mutungamiri (Chicken Inn), Lot Chiwunga (Black Rhinos) and Ralph Kawondera (Manica Diamonds) are on a goal each.

They are joined in that bracket by Highlanders duo of Lynoth Chikuhwa and Mackinnon Mushore, ex-Warriors captain Danny Phiri and Farau Matare, both of Bulawayo Chiefs.

The list also includes CAPS United’s Clive Rupiya, Blessing Majarira who does duty for Herentals College.

While there was no single brace, three players, Simba Bhora’s Vaelli Kawa, Bulawayo Chiefs’ Kim Joe Sibanda and Marvellous Faranando of Yadah were shown red cards when their clubs fell at the hands of Dynamos, Highlanders and FC Platinum respectively.

Interestingly, two of red cards were flashed at Barbourfields Stadium on a weekend when the eight league’s highly fancied outfits DeMbare Ngezi Platinum Stars, FC Platinum, Gamecocks, Black Rhinos, Bosso, Makepekepe and Herentals advanced to the next stage.

Three matches were decided on penalties with Sheasham falling 4-3 at the hands of Black Rhinos after the tie had ended nil all in regulation time.

Manica Diamonds needed a 6-5 penalty win against Rhinos for a quarter final berth. This was after the game had ended one all after 90 minutes.

Tied two all with Bulawayo Chiefs, Bosso advanced to the last eight stage after penalty shootouts that ended 6-5 in their favour.

The Chibuku Super Cup quarter final matches will be played on the weekend of September 23-24.

The semi final ties will be staged on the weekend of October 28 to 29 and the final match will be played on 25 November at a venue yet to be announced.

Chibuku Super Cup 2023

Preliminary Round

Yadah stars 1-0 Cranborne Bullets (Russell Chifura), Sheasham 0-0 Black Rhinos (Rhinos won 4-3 penalties)

First Round

Dynamos 1-0 Simba Bhora (Emmanuel Paga), Red Card Vaelli Kawa Simba Bhora, Ngezi Platinum 2-1 Triangle (Malvin Gaki, Takunda Benhura) (Newman Sianchali), FC Platinum 4-0 Yadah (Walter Musona 3, Jaun Mutudza), Red Card Marvellous Faranando Yadah, Chicken Inn 1-0, Green Fuel(Genius Mutungamiri), Manica Diamonds 1-1 Black Rhinos (Ralph Kawondera) (Lot Chiwunga) (Rhinos won 6-5 on penalties), Highlanders 2-2 Bulawayo Chiefs (Lynoth Chikuhwa, Mackinnon Mushore) (Danny Phiri, Farau Matare) (Highlanders won 6-5 on penalties) Red Card Kim Joe Sibanda Chiefs, Caps United 1-0 Hwange (Clive Rupiya), Herentals 1-0 ZPC Kariba (Blessing Majarira)

— @FungaiMuderere