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Lovemore Kadzura in Rusape
Black Rhinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
(Black Rhinos won 10-9 on penalties)
BLACK Rhinos have progressed to the semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup after overcoming Chicken Inn in penalty shoot-out at Vengere yesterday.
The two sides could not be separated after regulation time, with veteran defender Dennis Dauda missing his kick for Chauya Chipembere. Sherpard Mhlanga also missed the target and Richard Hachiro was the villain when his kick was save by keeper Blessing Mwandimutsira.
The Bulawayo side were the first to settle down, giving Rhinos some anxious moments and were duly rewarded in the fifth minute when striker Munashe Pini released a defence-splitting pass to Malvin Whata out paced two Rhinos defenders before firing a grounder past a diving Mandimutsira.
Two minutes later Rhinos could have restored parity when a Gracious Mleya’s shot inside the box hit the cross bar with goalkeeper Donovan Bernard a well beaten man.
Pacey Chicken Inn striker Brian Muza picked a loose ball in his half ion the 14th minute and raced into Rhinos’ half before releasing a square pass to Whata whose low shot was blocked by Mwandimutsira.
There was drama in the 24th minute when during a goalmouth melee a Farai Banda shot at goal was adjudged to have crossed the line by referee Martin Chivandire but Chicken Inn players and technical team protested as first assistant referee Claris Simango did not point to the spot.
This caused a three-minute stoppage as Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas and his bench had also invaded the pitch in protest.
After consulting Simango, Chivandire overturned his decision to award Rhinos a goal.
Towards the end of first half Banda’s well taken free-kick just outside the box was well handled by Bernard.
In the second half, Rhinos pushed more men upfront in search of an equaliser and in 50th minute they won a free-kick on the right flank which was taken by Dauda and evergreen Banda rose high to head home past Bernard to restore parity.
Ten minutes later Pini had a face-to-face encounter with Mandimutsira and his rushed effort went well over the bar.
Veteran striker Tawanda Nyamandwe, who came in as a substitute, had a number of chances but could not bury them.
Black Rhinos coach Stanford “Stix’ Mutizwa was happy with the win, saying his target is to reach the final.
“It was a tough game both halves. Chicken Inn are a strong team with a very competent coach. We made life difficult for us by conceding an early goal. Our target is to reach the final”, Mutizwa said
A disappointed Antipas had few a words.
“It was a tough cup game and we lost through penalties. We wait for the new challenge”, he said
Online Reporter