Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
TWO out of the three Botswana-based Zimbabwean football coaches, Mandla Mpofu and Taurai Mangwiro guided their respective sides into the quarter-finals of the Orange FA Cup, with ex-Warriors gaffer Rahman Gumbo bowing out of the competition.
Mpofu, the ex-Highlanders gaffer orchestrated Masitaoka’s passage to the last eight of the competition whose winner will get P800 000, with his team beating first division side Matabele 2-0 at The Nest Stadium on Saturday.
Goals on either side of the half by Christopher Leeme in the 37th minute and an 85th minute header by Itumeleng Salani, who scored three minutes after his introduction powered Mpofu’s side into the quarterfinals.
Mpofu, who is in his first season in Botswana was elated with his team’s win.
“Cup games are tricky and unpredictable. You can’t afford to make mistakes and the approach is that of a final game knowing that you’ll be knocked out if you lose.
I’m happy that the boys fought hard, it’s not a fluke but an indication of hard work that everyone has been putting throughout the season.
“We take the victory, celebrate that we’re in the quarter-finals and we’ll see what happens in the next stage. In the meantime, we will shift our focus to the league and hope for continuation of good performances like these,” said Mpofu.
What further pleased Mpofu was that Masitaoka avoided the dreaded penalty shootouts. In the round of 32, Masitaoka won 4-3 after penalty shootouts against Police XI. The match had ended 1-1 after regulation time.
Also making it to the last eight of the competition was Mangwiro whose Orapa United side won the round of last 16 encounter 4-2 after penalties against Extension Gunners at Lobatse Sports Complex.
The match had ended 0-0.
Just like Mpofu, Mangwiro is in his debut Botswana Premiership season and storming into the quarterfinals puts him on the line for a maiden piece of silverware in the neighbouring country.
In setting up a date against Extension Gunners, Mangwiro’s Orapa United edged Nico United 1-0 in Selebi Phikwe.
Meanwhile, championship leaders Jwaneng Galaxy remained on course for a league and cup double as they knocked out Rahman Gumbo’s Morupule Wanderers 2-0 courtesy of goals by Resaobaka Thatanyane and Thabang Sesinyi at Galaxy Stadium.
Home to the Zimbabwean pair of winger Daniel Msendami and defensive midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku, both former Highlanders players, Jwaneng Galaxy only fielded the former, with the livewire winger rested for Tuesday’s midweek league match against Masitaoka. — @ZililoR.
Online Reporter