adminKumpasa was happy with his team’s 12-12 draw against Old Hararians in Harare and said the players showed great composure.
“We knew that the game in Harare was always going to be difficult and we had to be disciplined. Some might say it was a boring game but I will say it was a technical game as we had to frustrate them (Old Hararians) which we did.
“Now our focus turns to the home semi-final against Old Georgians and playing at Hartsfield, we are going to make sure that we maximise home advantage and sail through to the final,” said Kumpasa.
Matabeleland Warriors went to Harare needing to avoid a defeat and they got their tries from Percy Ncube and Tapiwa “Endo” Mangezi with South Africa-based Biselele Tshamala weighing in with a conversion.
If Matabeleland Warriors beat Old Georgians, they will meet the winner of the other semi-final between title favourites Harare Sports Club and Old Hararians.
Harare Sports Club, who only lost one game against Matabeleland Warriors, ended the season at the top of the log with 65 points and if they beat their city rivals on Saturday, the final will be played in Harare and if they lose and Matabeleland Warriors win, the final between Warriors and Old Hararians will be at Hartsfield.
“There is now talk of where the final will be played but as a club we just want to win our next game and progress to the final. It will be great to make it to the final whether in Harare or here. What we want is to win the cup which has been eluding Bulawayo for some time.
“Everyone wants to be part of that history that will win things and I believe we have a strong squad capable of winning the title,” said Tshamala.
Some of the players that have been key in Matabeleland Warriors’ success include player-coach Kumpasa, Zvakavapano, Ozy Lynx, Audrey Dube, Mangezi and Percy Ncube.
Winger Lloyd Machanjaire, Terence Kuvarega, Tshamala and Jafet Ndebele have been in sublime form for the star-studded Bulawayo outfit with the likes of Paul Staak playing home games.
Meanwhile, Western Panthers have vowed to come stronger next season after a disastrous 2012 last game performance that that saw them lose 97-0 to Old Georgians. “This season is over and very few gave us a chance of finishing fifth on the log. There were some matches that I believe we lost without giving a fight but come next season, we will be counted among those that will vie for a semi-final slot,” said George “Rollo” Mukorera, Western Panthers gaffer.
Results:
Old Hararians 12, Matabeleland Warriors 12; Old Georgians 97, Western Panthers 0; Harare Sports Club 37, Gweru 7; Airforce 29, Old Miltonians 19.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu