Chapungu knock out favourites Bosso

Sport
Chapungu beat Highlanders 2-1 in penalty shootouts in the CG Msipa Charity Tournament semifinal match played at Ascot Stadium in Gweru yesterday.

Chapungu . . . . (0) 0 Highlanders . . . (0)0 Chapungu won 2-1 on penalties

Ephraim Shoko

Chapungu beat Highlanders 2-1 in penalty shootouts in the CG Msipa Charity Tournament semifinal match played at Ascot Stadium in Gweru yesterday to book a date with FC Platinum in the finals set for Mandava Stadium this afternoon.

The match had ended 0-0 in regulation time.

FC Platinum sailed through to the finals after beating cross town rival Shabanie Mine 2-1.

Lawrence Mapuya and Charles Murisa scored for the home side while only Charles Sibanda managed to hit the back of the net for Highlanders.

Bruce Kangwa, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Peter “Rio” Moyo and goal keeper Ariel Sibanda missed their spot kicks for Highlanders while for Chapungu Blessed Mbavarira and Brighton Mugoni failed to convert.

Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi was the hero of the afternoon after saving two penalties.

The match started on a rather low note with most action concentrating in the middle of the park as no clear cut chances were created in the first period.

It was only after the breather that both teams started to take the match to each other, much to the delight of an appreciative crowd at Ascot.

Chapungu could have opened the scoring in the 49th minute when Calisto Maheya sent in a beautiful cross from the left for an unmarked Rodwell Mhlanga on the right who surprisingly directed effort out for a Highlanders goal kick.

Highlanders responded in the 54th minute when Peter Moyo’s free kick hit the upright from outside the box with Mazingi a beaten man. Chapungu held on and absorbed Bosso’s raids to force the match to the dreaded penalty shootouts.

Highlanders assistant coach Mark Mathe was pleased with his team’s performance.

“I think this was a good performance by our boys considering that it was a preseason match. There are a lot of areas we have to work on and this match has helped us to notice those grey areas,” he said.

His Chapungu counterpart, John Nyikadzino paid tribute to his boys for showing mental strength managing to hold Highlanders until the final whistle.

Related Topics