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Bulawayo…………………………………………………………..0
Mashonaland West…………………………………………….1BULAWAYO boys’ soccer team was knocked out of the Youth Games by defending champions Mashonaland West in a semi-final played at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
The Agent Sawu-coached youngsters were expected to perform better in front of their supporters but found the champions a hard nut to crack.
The team retained the same technical team that led them to a silver medal last year but that was not enough for the tournament favourites to book themselves a place in the finals.
They will now face Manicaland in the third place play-off this morning.
Manicaland were soundly beaten 3-0 by Harare in an earlier semi-final.
Harare province proved to be the better team from the word go with their captain Michael Ngwenya who plays for Black Mambas opening the scoring with a well struck shot from 30 yards in open play during the first few minutes of the game.
The winners showed more creativity and skill for the entire match as they created a lot of chances.
The other two goals came from the skilful Tinotenda Katewere with an easy tap in from a hard and low cross by speedy winger Tafadzwa Mahwore.
Katewere helped his team to put the final nail in Manicaland’s coffin by providing an inviting cross which was headed home by the Harare forward.
Head coach Jacob Chavunguma expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance.
“Our advantage lies in our creative game and today in particular we managed to take all our chances and our defence was very solid as evidenced by the fact that we did not concede and they have only conceded only one goal in the tournament,” he said.
Chavunguma added that his boys are now ready for the final both mentally and physically.
Online Reporter