Tongai Mashonga Hardrock FC 2-2 Hunters FC
(Hardrock won 5-3 on penalties)
TEN-MAN Hardrock produced yet another miracle comeback to book a place in the Chibuku
Super Cup final, fighting from 2-0 down to floor giant-killers Hunters FC at Chahwanda.
The two teams battled to a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
For the second home game in a row, the miners stared defeat in the face and still found a way,
leaving head coach Kelvin Kaindu declaring: “I think it’s just our season.”
The semi-final had everything — missed chances, a red card, a smashed technical dugout shelter,
and a last-gasp equaliser.
Prince Dube scored his first brace for Hardrock, levelling the scores after Hunters had taken the
lead through Godfrey Dabgwa and Delight Gandari.
Prince Dube, Gerald Takwara, Nigel Matinha, Thubelihle Mavuso and Xolani Ndlovu converted
from the spot to send the miners into the final. Ronald Pfumbidzai, Emmanuel Zinyama and Elder
Chirinda scored for Hunters, while Vusumuzi Ngwenya missed his penalty after Martin Mapisa
made a save.
Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu praised his boys after the match.
Kaindu reserved special praise for his mid-season acquisitions, with Mavuso slicing through a
number of defenders and Prince Dube once again proving decisive with a brace.
“Not much of course from him but these are players that will give you something that you want at
the right time and this is what he did.
“A beautiful play from Mavuso eliminating a number of defenders and also into the box and also
Prince scoring the penalty. It shows how much influence he has given us since coming in in the mid-season. I think all the players that joined us in the mid-season they’ve given us a different
dimension in terms of approach and in terms of the way that we are playing, but we also need to
work. We give away easy goals. We need to work on the way that we are defending,” said Kaindu
On the other side, Hunters coach Nesbert Saruchera cut a disappointed but defiant figure,
admitting his charges let it slip after scoring two good goals.
“Defeat hurts, but dwelling on it won’t change the result,” Saruchera said.
That was the blunt assessment from the Hunters coach after his side fell short against a side he
described as both “very rich” and very smart with their riches.
“Stuff like we should have done better. But as you saw it, the officiating to me was not up to
scratch,” he said.
Teams
Hardrock FC
Martin Mapisa, Lennox Mucheto (45′ Mcdonald Rameck), Tinotenda Muringai (61′ Xolani Ndlovu),
Gerald Takwara, Sizwe Yeki Khumalo (45′ Nigel Matinha), Misheck Ngwenya, Washington Navaya
(82′ Masimba Mambare), Neliswa Dlamini, Prince Dube, Thubelihle Mavuso, Munashe Bamara (61′
Last Nyilenda).
Substitutes
Elton Sibanda, Donald Mudadi, Marshall Gavaza, Xolani Ndlovu, Last Nyilenda, Nigel Matinha,
Mcdonald Rameck, Tinashe Mashaireni, Masimba Mambare.
Hunters FC
Brandon Munkuli, Macclive Phiri, Elder Chirima, Delight Gandari, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Munyaradzi
Mshanga, Tadiwanashe Huni (90+4′ King Nadolo), Rasmarley Tamuko Chipango (82′ Emmanuel
Zinyama), Godfrey Guilt Dabgwa, Benjamin Goliath (64′ Ordain Sira), Terence Dzvukamanja (82′
Vusumuzi Ngwenya).
Substitutes
Moreblessing Phiri, Emmanuel Zinyama, Praise Tonha, Vusumuzi Ngwenya, Tadiwa Joshua
Chakuchichi, Mafious Tadiwa Chihweta, Michael Tapera, Ordain Sira, Godknows Murwira, King
Munyaradzi Nadolo.
