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A THREE-MONTH journey that started at Rimuka in Kadoma, with Osborne Mukuradare’s priceless header making all the difference in a 1-0 win over ZPC Kariba in the first round, reaches its climax at Mandava when Harare City plunge into a winner-take-all showdown against FC Platinum in the 2014 Chibuku Super Cup final tomorrow.
It was ZPC Kariba’s first loss, in all competitions, since they were promoted into the Premier Soccer League.
The Sunshine Boys then went to Mandava, in the same journey, when they defeated a stubborn Chiredzi FC 2-1 in a quarter-final tie, with Mukuradare and speed merchant Martin Vengesayi on target for City.
It’s a journey that touched the heavens when the Sunshine Boys ran riot in the semi-finals and destroyed Highlanders, who had been installed as the favourites to win the tournament by the pundits, winning 3-0 at Rufaro with a breathtaking display of attacking power.
Now, after three big wins in the first round, quarter-finals and semi-finals, Harare City have one more hurdle to clear — against FC Platinum in the final — in their quest to lift the Chibuku Super Cup.
Harare City have been impressive in their battle to win this iconic silverware, conceding just one goal in 270 minutes of action in the tournament, when Chiredzi FC’s Sam Msimbu breached their defence in that quarter-final showdown at Mandava.
While the defence has stood resolute, the strike-force has been impressive, led by Mukuradare and Vengesayi, who have scored two goals apiece in the six-goal return by the Sunshine Boys in three games, at an average of two goals per game in the tournament.
First Round: ZPC Kariba 0, Harare City 1, Rimuka,
August 16, 2014
ZPC Kariba were unbeaten in 18 league matches and the pundits were in their corner ahead of this match, with just a few tipping Harare City to rise to the occasion and silence their rivals in the Chibuku Super Cup first round tie on neutral soil at Rimuka in Kadoma.
A tough game was decided shortly after the break when Mukuradare headed home a ball swung from the corner-kick by William Manondo and Harare City showed remarkable discipline in defence to hold out for a great victory.
“I’m happy with the performance of my boys because they played to instructions and they are also the first team to inflict ZPC Kariba with their first defeat of the season,” said Harare City coach Masimba Dinyero.
Quarter-Final: Chiredzi FC 1, Harare City 2, Mandava,
September 13, 2014
Dinyero had warned against complacency going into this tricky game and Sam Msimbu showed just how dangerous Chiredzi FC were, despite their lowly position, by pushing them into the lead after a lovely cross from David Sengu. Harare City had to react, and react they did, with Mukuradare equalising with a beauty of a free-kick and then Vengesayi scored the winner after the breather. From there on, there was just one winner.
Semi-Final: Highlanders 0, Harare City 3, Rufaro,
October 19, 2014
A beauty by Francisco Zekumbawire just before the break was just the tonic that Harare City needed as they went on to dominate this match and further goals by William Manondo, on as a substitute, and Vengesayi destroyed Bosso.
“The boys have been playing very well,” Dinyero said.
“They played to instructions and they did very well. They were mentally, physically and psychologically prepared.
“I’m happy with their performance.”
The Final: FC Platinum versus Harare City, Mandava,
November 16, 2014
It’s the Big One and the last hurdle that Harare City should leap in their search for silverware and after beating ZPC Kariba, who have made a big impression in the league championship race where they are favourites to land the title, outclassing giants Highlanders and edging stubborn Chiredzi FC, the Sunshine Boys now have to make one giant leap. — Harare City Chibuku Super Cup Brochure.
Online Reporter