Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals were nothing short of football madness, with three ties going all the way to the lottery before Hardrock produced the only straight-up knockout act to complete a thrilling semi-final line-up.
For three teams, it was about keeping their nerve from 12 yards.
For Hardrock, one punch in the opening quarter of the match was enough.
Hardrock completed the last-four cast with a gritty 1-0 victory over league champions Scottland at Rufaro on Wednesday.
Neliswa “Tiger” Dlamini delivered the knockout blow as early as the 15th minute, rising to meet Lennox Mucheto’s cross and sending a powerful header into the net.
Scottland had the rest of the match to find a response but Hardrock stood firm, frustrating the champions and protecting their precious lead until the final whistle.
It was the only quarter-final that did not require the drama of a penalty shootout.
And, when the dust finally settled, Hardrock were celebrating a place in the last four while Scottland were left to lick their wounds.
CAPS United survived a huge scare against ZPC Kariba at Rufaro on Saturday after Malvin Whata put the power utility side ahead in the 75th minute.
With the clock ticking down, CAPS appeared to be heading for the exit before Dominic Njalwa came to their rescue five minutes from time.
The Green Machine forced the contest into penalties.
CAPS then kept their cool, converting four spot kicks while ZPC Kariba managed only two to bow out 4-2.
FC Hunters produced another late escape against Dynamos.
The Harare giants looked to have seized control when Frank Agyemang converted from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute.
But Hunters refused to throw in the towel.
Odrain Sira struck in the 85th minute to drag the lower-league side level and send the match into the dreaded shootout.
Hunters then showed nerves of steel, winning 4-1 on penalties to send Dynamos crashing out and book their place in the last four.
Highlanders also had to walk the penalty tightrope against MWOS.
Arthur Banda gave MWOS the lead in the 28th minute, but Royn Nyamono pulled Highlanders level in the 60th minute.
Neither side could find the decisive goal before the final whistle, leaving the tie to be settled from 12 yards.
Bosso eventually prevailed 3-2 in the shootout, sparking celebrations and keeping their Chibuku Super Cup dream alive.
And so, after a quarter-final round packed with comebacks, late goals and penalty agony, Hardrock will face FC Hunters, while CAPS United have been paired with Highlanders.
The CAPS United-Highlanders clash brings together two of Zimbabwe’s biggest football names, while Hardrock’s meeting with Hunters sets up an intriguing battle between two sides that have upset the script to reach the last four.
The semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of October 31-November 1, with the final set for November 28.
Mathew Masinge