Triangle storm into One Wallet final

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A penalty lottery had to decide Triangle’s progression into the final of the NetOne One Wallet Cup after a goalless draw against Chicken Inn at Mandava yesterday.

Triangle . . . 0 Chicken Inn . . . 0

BY Michael Madyira in Zvishavane

Triangle 5- 3 Chicken Inn after penalty shootouts

A penalty lottery had to decide Triangle’s progression into the final of the NetOne One Wallet Cup after a goalless draw against Chicken Inn at Mandava yesterday.

Brian Mbiriri missed for the Game Cocks to hand Triangle passage into the final.

It was Triangle’s second penalty shoot-out victory in this tournament after they knocked out Harare City 7-6 in the quarter finals at the same venue.

Despite an inconsistent season, Triangle will play a final for the first time since gaining promotion into top flight league.

The Sugar Sugar boys will have to wait for todays’ winner in yet another semifinal that pits Harare Giants Dynamos against How Mine at the same venue.

Triangle coach Biggie Zuze said the victory will light up their season.

“It is good that we have won and I am hopeful that this will have a positive impact on our season,” said Zuze.

He added; “We could have won the match inside regulation time but we missed glorious chances that came our way. But the good thing is that we are in the final. We are ready for any opponent.” His opposite number Joey Antipas said they were their own enemies.

“We blew it for ourselves. We had a good opportunity to win the match in regulation time but unfortunately the boys had to settle for a draw and you know a penalty shootout is a lottery which is unpredictable.”

Tinei Chitora failed to head home a Lameck Nhamo cross 14 minutes into the match in what could have changed the complexion of the game.

Chicken Inn responded five minutes later with Danny Phiri shooting just wide after a poor clearance by the Triangle defense line.

Those were the highlights of the first half, but Chicken Inn persisted with an unmarked Clemence Matawu blasting wide a Brian Goredema low cross just at the start of the second half. Triangle attempted to claim victory with Praise Tonha misdirecting a Chitora cross.

The match seemed to be headed for a deadly lock with few attempts at goal but Nhamo shot wide again after exchanging passes with Tonha two minutes before full time.

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