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Harare Bureau
Harare City…………………………………….(0)1
Monomotapa……………………………………….0
WARRIORS midfielder Silas Songani scored the priceless goal as his team Harare City secured a quarter final place at the expense of Monomotapa in a Mbada Diamonds Cup first round match played at Rufaro Stadium yesterday. It was a dramatic afternoon as four minutes into the second period a black cat invaded the pitch.
It ran across the pitch before making a U-turn and returned to where it had came from between the Mbare end and the dressing rooms.
It was a quite a spectacle given that some fans, players and coaches believe in supernatural powers.
The cat was the talking point at Rufaro and lightened up the afternoon as the match itself was a drab affair.
The Sunshine Boys went on to score eight minutes later after the intrusion.
Songani drilled home a powerful long range volley from a free kick and Monoz goalkeeper Tapiwa Zvaita could only watch helplessly as the ball sailed into the nets.
The national team midfielder was also named the man-of-the-match and received $500 for his efforts
Songani said it wasn’t much of a surprise to him to score such a goal.
“I always train (to take free kicks) everyday so it becomes easier for me during the game to score such a goal. Monoz are a big team and we couldn’t underrate them and it was really a tough match,” he said.
Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi was happy to progress following an early exit in last year’s edition.
“We did well. We knew that with Monomotapa being finalists last year it was not going to be easy for us. They haven’t beaten us in league matches and it was going to be a difficult game.
“But we had to be patient and started playing well after first 20 minutes. They were coming and we maintained our shape despite them having greater ball possession.
“Last year we lost in the first round so we are taking each game as it comes,” he said.
Mawiwi said in his football career he has never seen a cat at Rufaro.
“I am a coach, I have played football and I have never seen that. I cannot comment on things that I don’t know,” said Mawiwi.
Monoz coach Biggie Zuze said they were the better side but failed to convert the few chances that came their way.
“I think the game was played well with both sides giving their best although we felt we were the better side especially in the first half.
“Our main problem is we are failing to score and it showed today one on one with the goalkeeper we failed. We also had a lapse in concentration and conceded that free kick. I feel the referee was harsh with that free kick. But I give credit to Harare City.
“It is over in the Mbada Cup and we have to shift to the league to survive relegation. I just encourage the strikers to score goals,” he said.
The former Dynamos player said he was also surprised by the rare visitor.
“It surprised me also. And the direction which it ran is where they scored their goal, its one of those things.”
“We lost our rhythm when they scored and lacked character. We tried to come back but you know with cup games if you concede a goal it is always difficult,” said Zuze.
Monoz’ best chance on the afternoon came in the 56th minute when striker Ismael Lawe and Ronald Chitiyo failed to score.
The former spurned his chance and Chitiyo who made a follow up failed again to pounce. Harare City midfielder Talent Chawapiwa was also guilty after he missed a chance at the stroke of half hour.
Online Reporter