Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere-Zimpapers Sports Hub
BLANKET Mine became the only lower-league side to reach the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup quarter-finals yesterday, while title-chasing Hardrock powered into the last eight with a five-goal show at Luveve Stadium.
The Central Region Soccer League side knocked out Triangle United on penalties at Gibbo Stadium, while Hardrock crushed Jordan Sinoti 5-1 to carry their impressive league form into the competition.
Blanket Mine stun Triangle
Former Triangle forward Ali Maliselo gave Blanket Mine the lead after just six minutes.
Maliselo helped Triangle escape relegation last season before leaving the club at the beginning of this campaign.
Triangle responded through Tawanda Chatuluka, who scored twice in six minutes to turn the match around. He equalised in the 10th minute before putting the hosts ahead in the 16th.
Mathew Hlabati drew Blanket Mine level eight minutes after the break, taking the contest to penalties.
Luke Jukulile’s men held their nerve in the shoot-out to complete the upset and secure their place in the quarter-finals.
They joined Premier Soccer League sides Scottland, Herentals, FC Hunters, Bulawayo Chiefs, FC Platinum, Hardrock and CAPS United in the last eight.
Hardrock hit five
At Luveve Stadium, Hardrock continued their hunt for silverware with a commanding victory over Jordan Sinoti.
Coach Kelvin Kaindu fielded a strong side, and his charges took control of the contest early.
They broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when Gerald Takwara was presented with a simple chance after the Jor-dan Sinoti goalkeeper punched the ball into his path.
Takwara calmly tapped the loose ball home.
Three minutes later, Washington Navaya doubled the advantage after connecting with a well-delivered cross from Lennox Mucheto.
Jordan Sinoti came close to pulling one back in the 35th minute when Shemiah Mutonono connected with a cross from the wing, but Hardrock goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga stood firm.
They eventually found a way through in the 69th minute when Bukhosi Ngcobo fired a long-range stinger past Mateyaunga.
Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished six minutes later when Eswatini import Neliswa Dlamini struck a low shot past the goalkeeper to restore Hardrock’s two-goal cushion.
Dlamini then turned provider in the 81st minute, setting up Thubelihle Mavuso for a simple tap-in to make it 4-1.
Substitute Wilfred Madzungu completed the rout six minutes later.
Kaindu said Hardrock could not afford to relax against their less-fancied opponents.
“We couldn’t manage to relax because we needed the win just like any other team,” he said.
“In cup football, you have to respect the opponent and respect the competition. Hardrock also deserves respect for the way they played.”
Jordan Sinoti, coach Johannes Nyumhwa, conceded his side had been beaten by the better team.
“We lost to one of the country’s best clubs,” he said.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game, but we tried our best. Hardrock were simply better on the day, and we have to accept the result.”
