Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Scottland 1-0 GreenFuel
NAMIBIAN forward Moses Shidolo delivered the decisive moment as Scottland edged GreenFuel 1-0 at Sakubva yesterday to secure a spot in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals.
Scottland almost struck inside four minutes when Tymon Machope rose to meet a cross, only for his header to sail just wide. Moments later, Mthokozisi Msebe found space on the edge of the box but pulled his shot off target.
The early pressure continued. In the 8th minute, Mafious Chihweta forced a superb save from Greenfuel goalkeeper Tatenda Chikowero, who dived low to keep the scores level.
Scottland’s persistence finally paid off when Shidolo latched onto a clever cutback from Panashe Mutimbanyoka and slotted home with precision.
Greenfuel looked for a quick reply. In the 24th minute, Blessing Kagudu tested Talbert Shumba, but the Scottland keeper held firm. Their problems deepened when Harrison Masina limped off injured, replaced by Tinotenda Meke.
After the break, Greenfuel came out swinging. Meke wasted a good chance in the 47th minute, firing wide, and coach Rodwell Dhlakama responded with an early change, bringing on Ronald Chitiyo for Garikai Dematsika to spark more creativity.
The visitors came close in the 65th minute when Kagudu’s long range free-kick forced another sharp stop from Shumba. Scottland nearly wrapped it up late on as Knowledge Musona split the defence with a pinpoint pass to Michael Tapera, but the forward couldn’t convert.
Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya was pleased to see his side advance.
“It was a very good game from our end as we tried to progress to the next round. In cup games you don’t demand beautiful football as what we want at the end of the day is results.
“We created a lot of chances in the first-half but we were not clinical. We didn’t have precision in front of goal. We could have goals that could have taken pressure away from us.”
Greenfuel assistant coach Godfrey Tamirepi felt his team paid for a slow start.
“Overall we had a good show, we started slowly and conceded the moment we lost concentration. I think if we had started at a high note things could have been different,” he said.
Meanwhile, at Baobab Stadium in Ngezi, Triangle turned the 2025 Chibuku Super Cup on its head yesterday, knocking out hosts Ngezi Platinum Stars in a tense first-round clash at Baobab Stadium.
The Lowveld side held their nerve to win 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time.
Former Young Warriors striker Delic Murimba, brought on as a late substitute, became the unfortunate villain for
Ngezi when his miss in sudden death sealed Triangle’s place in the last eight.
It was a nail-biting finish. Triangle converted six of their seven spot kicks.
