Online Reporter
Tawanda Munthali-Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS have booked a date with Scottland in the quarter-finals of this year’s edition of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Thanks to Mason Mushore, who produced a moment of brilliance to fire Highlanders to the last eight in a hard fought 1-0 victory over Herentals at Nyamhunga, in Kariba, yesterday.
With just seven minutes left, Mushore curled a free kick past a rooted Tinotenda Takarinda, leaving the Herentals defence stranded and the Bosso faithful in full voice. It was a strike worthy of winning any contest, and it proved enough to settle a tense first round match.
Highlanders earned the set piece after Reason Sibanda was cynically brought down on the edge of the box by Tawanda Chisi, who had been left for dead. Mushore, one of Bosso’s stand-out players this season, stepped up for the challenge.
“It was a tough game but we managed to push on. We have been working hard at training and we have been rewarded. It’s all about hard work. We worked on how to take set pieces and how to defend them. This is a very big win for us,” said Mushore, later named Man of the Match.
The Bulawayo giants had dominated most of the game, carving out openings through Marvin Sibanda, Reason Sibanda and Brian Mlotshwa, but found Takarinda equal to the task. Even after taking the lead, they had to withstand a late Herentals surge, throwing bodies forward in search of an equaliser.
Highlanders coach Pieter de Jongh was delighted to see his side advance, six years after guiding Bosso to their last Chibuku triumph in 2019.
“It’s a good feeling. We had a good game plan. We were the better team, we showed intention to play good football. There was good team spirit from us. I don’t do it for myself, I do it for the Bosso family. Let’s see what we are going to do in the league,” said de Jongh.
He admitted the 12-hour journey to Kariba had weighed heavily on preparations. “Delighted to have progressed to the last eight, but it was a far trip and we needed to win so that we don’t return home empty-handed. In general, we were the better team, as the boys had two great chances but the Herentals keeper stood tall.”
Herentals, who had made two enforced substitutions after injuries to Tinotenda Benza and Erick Dombo, left empty-handed, but their coach Paul Benza tried to take positives from the defeat.
“I’m happy that in our last two games we have not been conceding much. However, we could have done better on that free kick and taken the game to penalties. Bowing out of the Chibuku Super Cup is not commendable but we now have to concentrate on the league, where we are targeting a top four finish,” said Benza.
Last year Highlanders were controversially thrown out of the competition by the PSL disciplinary committee after walking off in protest during their quarter-final against Simba Bhora. This time, they made sure progression was settled on the field. Soon after the final whistle, the quarter-final draw was conducted, pitting Highlanders against Scottland. Dynamos, the defending champions, will face ZPC Kariba, Manica Diamonds will clash with Triangle United, while Bikita Minerals meet MWOS.
Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals:
Bikita Minerals v MWOS
Manica Diamonds v Triangle United
Dynamos v ZPC Kariba
Highlanders v Scottland
