Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
Talen Vision 1-0 Hwange
A 57th minute goal by McCarthy Dube denied Premiership bound Hwange a league and cup double in the Zifa Southern Region Landa John Nkomo Memorial Trophy at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Dube capitalised on a slip by Houdlack Kaunda and struck the ball with the killer instinct of a striker from inside the box beyond a diving Hwange goalkeeper Charles Sibanda.
After that goal, there wasn’t much goalmouth action despite the coal miners upping their game in search of an equaliser to force extra time, but it proved elusive as Mkhuphali Masuku’s Talen Vision boys held on for dear life.
“We know the turf very well and knew that during the course of the game Hwange will tire and they did just that even though I wouldn’t attribute our goal to tiredness. We are happy we won, especially considering that we had just two of our regulars today,” said Masuku.
His Hwange counterpart Nation Dube was disappointed although he expressed satisfaction with the general performance of his lads.
“Most of the boys who played are not regulars as I wanted to see their readiness for the big stage, but that is not an excuse and we say congratulations to Talen Vision,” said Dube.
For their sweat, Talen Vision, who lost at the same stage last year to the then Premiership bound Bulawayo Chiefs, were presented with gold medals, a trophy and a cheque of $1 300 courtesy of sponsors Liquor Hub. Hwange received $600 and silver medals.
The two losing semi-finalists Tsholotsho and ZPC Hwange will each get $300.
Teams
Talen Vision: Emmanuel Dare, Mandla Mkwananzi, Terrence Nyoni, Tryfortune Ncube, Mongameli Ndlovu, Samson Ezihe, Mandla Gasela, Mlamuli Phakathi, Amos Layode (Brian Muza 56th min), Osu Minari, McCarthy Dube (Mlungisi Ncube 84min)
Hwange: Charles Sibanda, Kupakwashe Matake, Craven Banda, Houdlack Kaunda, Munyaradzi Mungadze, Clavelods Nyoni (Courage Sibanda 65min), Ted Ncube, Malvern Longwe (Andrew Chuma, 59min) Perserverance Sibanda (Ernest Gwitima 58min), Morestuff Ncube, Tendai Mate
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