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Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
Inline Academy 2-1 Cyclone Stars
BULAWAYO women’s soccer giants Inline Academy stormed into the final of the NetOne Charity Shield after edging Cyclone Stars in a semi-final encounter played at Barham Green Sports Complex yesterday. Inline Academy bounced back from a goal down to win the encounter that will see them lock horns with Black Rhinos in the final of the $75,000 tournament.
Cyclone had taken the lead in the 32nd minute through Greater Bande whose seeming long clearance deceived the Inline goalkeeper Amanda Banda.
Pamela Bvochora equalised in the 42nd minute with a shot inside the box after Cyclone had failed to clear their lines in a goalmouth melee following a corner kick from the right.
The Bulawayo side was not done yet as they were awarded a penalty a minute later after Mighty Warriors striker Rudo Neshamba was brought down in the box by Nyasha Munemo.
Judith Langa stepped up and failed to convert forcing a good save from Cyclone goalkeeper Lindiwe Magwede.
Inline were not to be let down by the penalty miss as in the 44th minute Bvochora’s cross forced Cylone defender Leona Musikavanhu to chest the ball to her own goal to give the Bulawayo team the 2-1 lead.
The Bulawayo giants continued to pile pressure in the second half and as early as the 46th minute they forced Magwede into action after Christine Mpanzo had intercepted a through ball.
Inline’s Rejoice Kampfumvuti took control of the midfield battle which saw the Mighty Warriors captain Felistas Muzongondi playing second best to the youngster.
Goal scorer Bvochora missed about five clear chances that would have wrapped up the game early for the home side.
Inline Academy coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda was on cloud nine after her team stormed into the final.
“Overall I’m happy but it was a tight match, they matched us pound for pound which shows that going forward is tough,” said Sibanda.
She bemoaned wasted chances.
“We created so many chances that we failed to utilise, going forward we have to work on that and even defensively we were a bit shaky. These are things we have to look at because the final is going to be tricky,” she said.
Prosper Manzungu regretted Bridget Chandamare’s injury who was replaced by Musikavanhu just after 21 minutes.
“I think we conceded soft balls and we were forced to substitute Bridget which left us shaky at the back. Musikavanhu was playing her first big game and as such she was affected by stage fright,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter