Students have a spring in their step

Bruce Chikuni

THE last time no top team made the Chibuku Super Cup final was in 2018, when Triangle beat Harare City 2-0, to lift the trophy.

And, it just got better this year with two ambitious sides facing each other, in the country’s premier knockout tournament.

Herentals defied the odds by edging favourites, FC Platinum, 4-3 in a penalty shootout, after a 1-1 draw, in normal time.

They will face Bulawayo Chiefs in the final.

This will be a battle of the country’s two most ambitious teams.

Both Herentals and Chiefs will be featuring in their first Cup final in the top-flight league.

This is bound to be a mouth-watering affair, as both teams always fight to the death.

The two teams are now just 90 minutes away from achieving one of their biggest dreams.

Many had counted the Students out ahead of their semi-final battle against FC Platinum.

Mandava had become a nightmare for the Students, who had failed to win in their three previous visits.

In fact, they had failed to score in Zvishavane since being promoted to the Premiership in 2018. But, all that changed on the stroke of full-time when Avi Mataranyika grabbed a late equaliser to force the game to penalties.

The hosts were getting ready for a victory lap and their fans had begun singing celebratory songs.

But, they were stunned into silence when Clemence Gobvu converted the deciding penalty to spark wild celebrations among the travelling Herentals fans.

Despite being a goal down for 57 minutes, they were louder than FC Platinum spectators on the terraces.

The Students fans kept cheering their team, even when all hope seemed lost.

Herentals defender, Godfrey Mukambi, who produced a man-of-the-match performance, admitted that he is still in shock.

“We went to Mandava with the goal of progressing to the final.

“But, after conceding early in the first half, it was difficult for us to chase the game, as FC Platinum were defending well.

“For a moment, I thought it was done and dusted, but I’m really overwhelmed by how we fought back,” said Mukambi.

The Students have been enjoying a fine run of form in the Castle Lager Premiership where they are currently in the top four.