Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira at Colliery Stadium, Hwange
Hwange 0-0 Arenel Movers
(Hwange won 5-4 on penalties)
HWANGE completed a Zifa Southern Region Division One Cup double when they beat Arenel Movers on penalties to be crowned champions of the Wafa Wafa knockout competition at the Colliery Stadium on Saturday.
Chipangano, who recently booked their ticket back into the topflight league, capped a successful season with the cup victory.
The cup competition was meant to be a season opener, however, the initial sponsor of the tournament pulled out and the final of the competition was deferred.
The two sides could not be separated after 90 minutes and it took the penalty lottery to decide the game.
Arenel would however feel hard done as they were the better team on the day but failed to turn their dominance into goals.
Kudzayi Mhandire, the Arenel coach watched the game from the stands as he was fresh from a family bereavement. In his absence assistant coach Nkosilathi Nkomo took charge.
“Firstly, l would like to congratulate Hwange FC for their win. Going into the game, l felt the boys showed great fighting spirit. Football is a game of chances and we did not utilise ours. Penalties are anyone’s game and it was not our day today,” said Nkomo.
His opposite number Try Ncube was elated with the victory.
“It was a tight match. They were threating us and we also had our chances so l believe it was fair for the game to be decided on penalties,” said Ncube.
Pomp and fanfare was had on the day, with as many of Hwange’s supporters having attended the match in the seething heat.
Zifa board member Kenneth Mhlophe together with former Highlanders chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube attended the match.
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derick.khumalo
Online Reporter