Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
TelOne 1-1 Bikita Minerals
Bikita Minerals won 5-4 on penalties
TELONE’S Chibuku Super Cup misery continued yesterday as they fell 5-4 on penalties to Bikita Minerals, crashing out in the first round for yet another year at Ascot Stadium in Gweru yesterday.
The tie had ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. Tinaye Tsimba put the visitors ahead in the first half before substitute Tawanda Macheke levelled shortly after the restart.
Tsimba sealed the win in the shootout with the final spot kick for the Lithium Boys. Spencer Mugariri, Tadiwanashe Murasiranwa, Chelsea Nyakope and Felix Moyo also scored for Bikita Minerals.
For TelOne, Calvin Chigara, Bruno Mtigo, Leeroy Murape and Macheke converted, but Allan Chapinduka blazed his effort over the bar to hand the visitors victory.
The defeat means the WiFi Boys still haven’t advanced past the first round of the tournament.
Coach Hebert Maruwa, was frustrated his side failed to settle the match in regulation time.
“Very disappointed to be losing, we conceded a silly goal after a mistake but came back in the second half to score. We created a lot of opportunities, creating chance after chance but failing to score. Then penalties are a lottery, any team can win,” he said.
Making a rare start, Lucky Ndlela endured a nightmare return to the XI, gifting Bikita a chance that Tsimba pounced on.
Despite falling behind, TelOne had the better chances in the first half. Gerald Bero’s curling free kick rattled the upright and Nkosiyabo Masilela’s dipping shot forced Wellington Mangwana into a fingertip save.
Maruwa made two early changes, bringing on Murape and Macheke for Ndlela and Bero. Macheke almost made an instant impact but was slow to react to Washington Navaya’s pass.
TelOne began the second half brightly. Frank Makarati scrambled in an equaliser from a goalmouth melee moments after the restart and Masilela’s header soon after also struck the post.
Bikita were pinned back for much of the half but almost regained the lead through a counter involving Courage Bera and Tsimba, only for Eriya Mafirenyika to produce a last-ditch block.
TelOne kept pressing but Murape and Macheke missed clear chances late on.
Bikita coach Wilson Mutekede, was pleased with his side’s resilience.
“I think we had a good game, very competitive. We got our first goal from the first chance, although we allowed them to come back. I’m happy we managed to hold on for the penalties,” he said.
