adminLLOYD Masakusi struck a brace as Gunners progressed to the quarter-finals of the US$1 million Mbada Diamond Cup after beating Masvingo in simmering heat before an appreciative crowd at Nyamhunga here yesterday.
Masakusi scored either side of the break, giving Gunners the lead in the 42nd minute when he got to the end of a cross by Phineas Bamusi to head past Masvingo United goalkeeper Dzingai Murinye.
The hard-running striker was not finished yet, as he scored his second on the stroke of the hour after some fine work by Ali Sadiki.
Masakusi was happy with his role in the win and believed his brace will inspire him in the next games.
“I am very happy to have managed to score twice and it’s very encouraging for me as a player.
“I hope I will continue to work hard and with the guidance I am getting from coach Moses ‘Bambo’ Chunga, I think there is room for improvement.
“However, I should not get carried away by scoring today but will have to take each game as it comes,” said Masakusi.
Masakusi believed Masvingo United could have taken the lead in the early stages after dominating play but failed to score from the chances created.
“Masvingo United came strongly at us as they pressed and passed well in the first half but they failed to score and we capitalised on that when we managed to score from our chances,” said Masakusi.
Gunners will now meet FC Platinum in the next round and coach Moses Chunga said focus should be on the next league game against Masvingo at the weekend.
“For us, it’s nothing much that we have qualified for the quarter-finals.
“Our immediate task is to concentrate on the league game before looking at the Mbada Diamond Cup again,” said Chunga.
Chunga admitted that Masvingo United gave them a scare in the early stages of the match but they managed to hold their nerves.
“We did struggle with our play in the early stages of the match mainly because of the bumpy pitch.
“But I am not taking that as an excuse because all the teams played on the same field and my plea is to the municipalities to work hard and improve the venues especially when they host such high profile matches.
“Maybe this is where Minister Chombo should also look into it,” said Chunga. Masvingo United coach Saul Chaminuka was left ruing the missed chances in the game.
“We controlled the game for most of the times but we failed score and this was a cup game,” said Chaminuka.
“In a game of football, the team that scores more goals will win and we failed to do that.
“In football, if you fail to sink the chances that comes your way you are bound to sink and this is what happened to us,” said Chaminuka.
“Actually I am very worried at our failure to convert the chances and we have to work on that before the next game when we face the same opponents and hope to pick up some points,” said Chaminuka.
Masvingo United could have taken the lead in the first half as they dominated the game but failed to convert numerous chances that came their way as they attacked the even half of the field while they defended the bumpy Elton Dzumbunu failed to give Masvingo the lead in the 7th minute when curled his effort wide from the left while defending the bumpy side.
Hardlife Mavindi beat Gunners skipper Pardon Chinungwa but his cross inside the box found no takers as Masvingo took control of the game while Gunners’ attack were sporadic.
Masvingo chief striker Pervington Zimunya shot straight into the waiting hands of goalkeeper George Chigova after being set through by Mavindi.
Chinungwa steadied the Gunners defence as he never panicked even under the relentless attack from Masvingo United especially in the first half while goalkeeper Prosper Chigumba pulling a couple off fine saves to deny Una Una a goal.
Teams Gunners: G. Chigova, L. Masakusi, M. Katsvairo, J. Dzingai, P. Chinungwa, H. Zvirekwi, M. Muchenje (T. Dephistara 85th minute), P. Bamusi (L. Fiyado 70th minute) C. Sekete, M. Kunyarimwe, A. Sadiki (M. Demera 85th minute).
Masvingo United: D. Murinye, P. Zimunya, W. Mukanga, H. Mavundi, E. Dzumbunu (P. Chigova 78th minute), I. Chapura (R. Makiwa 83rd minute), S. Muchabaya, P. Sinamayi, T. Majo, P. Chandisaita.
Online Reporter