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POLICE force side Black Boots FC and Plumtree Chiefs stormed into the Zifa Southern Region LG Foods final after knocking out ZPC Hwange and Hwange Juniors respectively.
Black Boots and Plumtree Chiefs went into the weekend as favourites and will now clash in the final next weekend.
First half goals by Stanley Ngala and Simon Njeleza were enough for Black Boots to sail through to the $12,000 sponsored final while 10-man Plumtree Chiefs beat Hwange Juniors 2-1 at the Colliery on Saturday.
Plumtree Chiefs’ goals came from Kundishora Chakanyuka and Innocent “Joker” Kutsanzira who was red-carded in the second half for using foul language at the referee while Hwange juniors’ consolation goal came from Ashwin Chitsungo.
Black boots coach Kudzai Mutuda said they are bracing for an exciting final.
“Obviously I’m happy that we’re in the final but the job is not yet over. Like I said before the ZPC Hwange game, only winning the LG Foods Cup can soothe my players’ spirits because they really worked hard during the season eyeing the championship which we eventually lost to Tsholotsho FC in the dying stages. We know that Plumtree Chiefs are also keen on landing this LG Foods Cup but they really have to work hard for it because we’re determined to take it to our camp,” said Mutuda.
Winners of the tournament will walk away with $2,000 with the losing finalists pocketing $1,500.
Losing semi-finalists will get $750 each and there are individual accolades for the Player of the Tournament, Goalkeeper of the Tournament and the Top Goalscorer who will each get $200.
Zifa Southern Region Soccer Star of the Year finalist Njeleza, Ngala, James “Chikopokopo” Chikwenga, defenders Lewis “Rambo” Ncube and Tendai Ndlovu who are on loan from Highlanders, goalkeeper Ashford Katsande and Andrew Dzukamanja are some of the players Mutuda will bank on for the final.
Ex-Highlanders defender and Plumtree Chiefs’ assistant coach Anzilom Ndlovu said after their Hwange Juniors’ match, they “can stand for anything”.
“We’re a team that doesn’t like to complain about officiating but sometimes you get the feeling that someone is out to get you for reasons best known to themselves.
“Even when we were down to 10 players, we showed character and the guys held on for more than 25 minutes after Kutsanzira was sent off for an early shower. That zeal by our players gives us courage as coaches that they’re really determined to make amends for missing the league championship by winning this cup. It’s going to be explosive,” Ndlovu said.
Online Reporter