The Sunday News
Highlanders .. (1) 1
How Mine …….(1) 1
(How Mine win 4-3 on penalties)
IT took a penalty shootout to determine the winner of the One Wallet Top 8 Cup quarter-final tie between Highlanders and How Mine at Ascot Stadium in Gweru yesterday afternoon after the match ended in a stalemate. Highlanders could have sealed the game in the 48th minute when they were awarded a penalty but striker, Charles Sibanda’s effort was smothered by How Mine goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura before it hit the upright. However, provided with the second bite of the cherry Sibanda directed the rebound off the crossbar.
The teams went straight to the dreaded lottery after the match ended and How Mine players showed more composure as they converted four of their five penalty kicks while Bosso could only convert three.
Captain Gilbert Banda, goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura, and substitutes, Wonder Sithole and Brighton Dube converted for How Mine with Xolisani Moyo the odd one out as he had his spot kick saved by Highlanders keeper, Munyaradzi Diya.
Mthulisi Maphosa, substitute Ariel Sibanda and Diya scored for Bosso, Welcome Ndiweni’s kick went over the bar while Valentine Ndaba’s, who had a poor showing during regulation time had his effort saved by Mazarura.
Felix Chindungwe had scored for Bosso in the 12th minute before Godfrey Nguwodzawo netted the equaliser for Chikurupati in the 29th minute.
However, it was the spectacle of torn nets that stole the limelight in the penalty shootouts that saw some fans celebrating mistaking goals for misses.
Many were left wondering how the match was played in the advent of poor nets. Perhaps that well summed up a sad afternoon where match referee Makonese Msakadza, and his colleagues Jimmy Muzondi and Antony Siyavunda all from Masvingo had a nightmarish game with their inept callings.
The One Wallet Top 8 Cup has turned out to be a tournament of unseeded teams following victories by Triangle over Harare City and Chicken Inn who overcame FC Platinum in another quarter-final played on Friday at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
Highlanders and How Mine had a cautious approach to the game in the first half and it was Chindungwe who opened the score sheet with a left-footed cracker from outside the box after receiving the ball from Knox Mutizwa, who had made several exchanges with Charles Sibanda before releasing the ball to the anchorman.
Nguwodzawo managed to put How Mine back in the game with a header off a corner kick by Edmore Muzanhenamo.
Three minutes after the start of the second half, Muzanhenamo hacked down Charles Sibanda in the box and referee, Msakadza pointed to the spot. Up stepped Sibanda, who missed a glorious chance for Highlanders to take the lead.
Chances were few and far in between for the two teams in the second half, Muzanenhamo could have scored in the 54th minute when How Mine were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty box but his effort went wide.
Ozias Zibande’s flick went over the bar in the 84th minute after the lethargic Ndaba had crossed from the left.
How Mine coach, Philani “Beefy” Ncube was ecstatic with the win but said Highlanders were unlucky not to wrap up the match in regulation time.
“We won it but I think Highlanders played well but it was not their day. We seem to be playing well away from home and it worked in our favour again this time around. We do not know who we will be facing in the semi-finals but we will go ahead with our preparations and get ready for whoever we might face,” he said.
Highlanders coach, Kelvin Kaindu felt it was unfortunate Charles Sibanda missed the penalty in regulation time as it would have won the game for his side.
“It is unfortunate that our best penalty taker missed during regulation time and we need the money most but we found ourselves exiting in the first round of the competition,” he said.
Although Kaindu said the pitch was in a bad condition he felt such cup games needed to be taken to better stadiums.
He said it was embarrassing for a game that was being televised to watch the ball going through torn nets moreso at the highest level of the game.
“I think we played here at the sponsor’s request but feel next time when they are selecting venues for such cup games they should choose better stadiums. It was embarrassing to see torn nets especially for a game being watched live on television. In future it would be nice if sponsors would consider other factors when selecting grounds for such games,” he said.
Teams
Highlanders: M Diya, E Mudzingwa, D Ndlovu, F Chindungwe, J Ngodzo (W Ndiweni, 54th), K Mutizwa (M Maphosa, 66th), O Zibande (A Sibanda, 91th), C Sibanda, B Kangwa
How Mine: E Mazarura, G Magariro, G Banda, N Mukumbi, X Moyo, E Muzanenhamo, M Kadzola, K Musharu, T Masuku (T January, 68th), G Nguwodzawo (W Sithole 86th), J Chitereki (Brighton Dube, 91st)
