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Gunners . . . . . . (1) 1
Lengthens. . . . . (0) 1
LENGTHENS and Gunners are set to clash again in another BancABC Sup8r quarterfinal following their stalemate at Rimuka stadium yesterday.
Even after extra time, the two teams could not be separated. The Happy People and Chando Kupisa however could not go for the penalty shoot-outs in the evening because there were no floodlights at Rimuka.
Gunners were the first to hit the target through midfielder Ishmael Lawe’s flashing header in the 37th minute. Tawanda “Magwegwe” Muyendi equalised for Lengthens with a bicycle-kick 10 minutes after the break.
The match was played in good competitive spirit, but was spoiled by referee Thomas Mafa who produced a comedy of errors. Mafa sent-off Gunners defender, Daniel Veremu for a second bookable offence in extra time.
Following the stalemate, the match had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out but the organisers called it off due to bad light. The replay is set to be played on Wednesday at a venue to be advised.
Gunners midfielder Willard Katsande put up a good performance and was rightly voted the man-of-the-match.
The sleepy town of Kadoma did not welcome the premiership’s only knockout tournament with a cash purse of US$40 000, pitting the best eight teams from last season as a handful of fans came to watch the match.
Probably the low turnout had much to do with the low profile of the teams in the quarterfinal. But then Lengthens are the defending champions of the Sup8r and Gunners are reigning league champions. That did not sway the Kadoma football fans to their town stadium, which does not host premiership matches. The match did not get adequate publicity in Kadoma.
Innocent Chunga, a football scout who was among the few people who attended the match took a swipe at the referee for spoiling an otherwise good game through bad officiating.
Meanwhile, in another BancABC Supr8 quarterfinal on today Bulawayo giants Highlanders take on Monomotapa at Barbourfields.
The home side would be favourites to go through to the semi-final because they have been formidable in their own backyard.
Monomotapa is now adjusting to life without coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe who quit the club earlier last week.
Lengthens won the second edition of the knockout tournament last year when they beat Shooting Stars 1-0 at Rufaro in the final.
In 2008 the Happy People suffered cup final heartbreak when they lost to CAPS United in the first year the competition was played.
The top eight teams from the previous season compete in the Sup8r.
The teams are paired and they play in a knockout format with the remaining two teams battling it out in the final.
It is the only domestic cup competition the local clubs can play for.
The Sup8r champions also win the berth to represent Zimbabwe in the CAF Confederations Cup. The champions will walk way with US$40 000 and the runners up will pocket US$15 000. The losing semi finalists will get US$4 000.
Fixtures
BancABC Sup8r
Highlanders v Monomotapa
(Barbourfields)
League
Douglas Warriors v Shabanie Mine
(Rudhaka)
FC Victoria v Black Mambas
(Mucheke)
BY TINASHE MUCHENJE
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