Bulawayo teams miss out on Chibuku Super Cup sip

BULAWAYO football giants Highlanders FC and Chicken Inn FC were both booted out of the country’s prestigious knockout tournament, the Chibuku Super Cup after quarter-final matches over the weekend.

Bosso were kicked out of the tournament by the country’s former Cup Kings CAPS United in an exciting match that was played at Barbourfields Stadium.

It was after a penalty shootout that ended 5-3 in favour of Green Machine, that Highlanders saw themselves under pressure to have the league for consolation silverware..

The game had ended 2-2 in regulation time.

“Credit goes to our boys. They applied themselves very well. Our players did well and we are very much happy to have progressed to the next round. We came into this quarter-final battle after losing some matches and Highlanders have been doing so well. We looked forward to our next cup match,” said Makepekepe head coach Lloyd Chitembwe.

He got the better of a Bosso side that had welcomed their head coach Baltemar Brito, his assistant cum interpreter Antonio Torres and vice-captain Peter Muduhwa from Warriors international assignment against Botswana.

Chicken Inn were sent packing by army side Black Rhinos is a cup tie that ended 2-1 after 90 minutes.

It was match that seemed headed for penalties until the soldiers found the winner courtesy of a last minute Valentine Katsande strike on a day that Malvin Hwata had thrust the former league champions into the lead.

“It’s always disappointing to lose in such a way. We were looking forward to make it through but it was unfortunate that we again lost to Black Rhinos. We have picked ourselves up ahead of our league match against Herentals College,” said Gamecocks technical director Joey Antipas.

Last season, Chicken Inn were booted out of the cup contest by Black Rhinos after a penalty shootout in a match that was played at Vengere Stadium in Rusape.

This year’s quarter-final battles saw Dynamos eliminate defending league champions FC Platinum after another penalty lottery that also ended 5-3.

Mandava Stadium was packed to the rafters on a day that Pure Platinum Play had a subdued first stanza only to rise to the occasion in the second half.

Platinum scored first in the 66th minute through Jarison Selemani before DeMbare levelled the matters 10 minutes later through the boot of Keith Madera.

Pure Platinum Play had Gift Mbweti, Nomore Chinyerere, Perfect Chikwende scoring from the spot while Innocent Mucheneka was denied by DeMbare’s substitute goalkeeper Frank Kuchineyi.

DeMbare converted their spot kicks through their captain Frank Makarati, Kevin Moyo, Denver Mukamba, Eli ILunga and Emmanuel Ziocha.

In the semi-finals stage, Dynamos will play against CAPS United while Black Rhinos fight it out against title chasing Ngezi Platinum Stars on the weekend of October 28-29.

Bulawayo Chiefs are the cup defending champions. Amakhosi Amahle beat Herentals in last year’s final that was played at Barbourfields Stadium.

Arthur Musiyiwa, now with Dynamos, scored the all-important goal that separated Bulawayo Chiefs and the Students

Chibuku Super Cup Semi-finals

Dynamos v CAPS United, Black Rhinos v Ngezi Platinum Stars

— @FungaiMuderere