Chibuku super cup delivers drama

THE Chibuku Super Cup has already lived up to its billing as a competition where reputations count for little, with the first round producing goals, penalty drama, upsets and enough talking points to whet the appetite for the last eight.

Of the eight teams that have booked their places in the quarter-finals, reigning champions Scottland, Highlanders and Dynamos were among the big names that survived tricky assignments, while FC Hunters and ZPC Kariba emerged as the surprise packages.

Scottland made the strongest statement of intent, brushing aside FC Platinum 3-1 on Friday in a display that underlined their attacking strength.

Moses Shidolo opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Mthokozisi Msebe doubled the advantage in the 39th minute. Khama Billiat then put the result beyond doubt with a 52nd-minute strike, with Mason Mushore pulling one back for FC Platinum three minutes later.

Dynamos’ progress to the next round means they remain firmly in contention for another cup triumph.

CAPS United also produced one of the most entertaining performances of the round when they edged Simba Bhora 3-2 in a five-goal thriller.

Lloyd Njaliva, Talent Chamboko and Tinotenda Meke found the target for the Green Machine, while Simba Bhora’s Petrus Junior Samaneka scored twice to keep his side in the contest.

Simaneka’s brace has also made him the leading scorer in the competition so far, with two goals to his name.

Dynamos were the biggest scorers of the round, dismantling TelOne 4-1 in a match in which their attacking quality eventually proved decisive.

An own goal by Zibusiso Ruguchu handed Dynamos the lead before Nathan Mutasa and Isaac Loundu extended the advantage. Frank Ageymang then completed the rout with goals in the 90th minute and deep into stoppage time.

TelOne’s consolation came from Panashe Mutasa.

Highlanders, meanwhile, had to endure a tense afternoon against old rivals Chicken Inn before finally squeezing through.

The Bulawayo giants were held to a goalless draw after 90 minutes, with the contest decided from the penalty spot. Bosso prevailed 3-1 in the shootout after Chicken Inn leftback Tyrese

Hikupembe was sent off in the 71st minute.

Their victory ensured that Highlanders remain in the hunt for silverware in a season already carrying enormous expectations around the club.

Hardrock also booked their place in the last eight after edging Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0, with Tinotenda Muringani converting from the spot in the 60th minute.

FC Hunters provided one of the round’s biggest surprises when they knocked out Herentals College 1-0, Michael Tapera scoring the decisive goal in the 55th minute.

ZPC Kariba also produced an upset of their own, eliminating Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-0 through Munashe Kamwendo’s 38th-minute strike.

MWOS completed the last-eight line-up with a convincing 2-0 victory over Agama, Arthur Banda and Nigel Makumbe getting the goals.

The preliminary round had already set the tone for the competition, with Agama eliminating Manica Diamonds 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw, while TelOne accounted for Triangle

United by the same route, winning 5-3 after another 0-0 stalemate.

With 19 goals scored so far, the tournament has produced a healthy spread of goalscorers, although Samaneka stands alone at the top with two.

Njaliva, Chamboko, Meke, Mutasa, Loundu, Ageymang, Tapera, Mushore, Muringani, Banda, Makumbe, Shidolo, Msebe, Billiat, Panashe Mutasa and Kamwendo have all scored once.

The quarter-final line-up now reads like a fascinating collision between established giants and ambitious outsiders: Scottland, CAPS United, ZPC Kariba, MWOS, Dynamos, Hardrock, FC

Hunters and Highlanders.

With four Premier Soccer League heavyweights, two ambitious challengers and two teams that have already caused major upsets, the road to the Chibuku Super Cup crown is beginning to take shape.

And if the opening rounds are anything to go by, the last eight could deliver even more drama.