FC Platinum …(1)1) Shabanie …0
FC Platinum stormed into the last four of the multi-million dollar Mbada Diamonds Cup after dismissing neighbours Shabanie Mine 1-0 in a quarter final match at Mandava yesterday.
REPORT BY WELLINGTON TONI IN ZVISHAVANE
It took a flashing header by Donald Ngoma at the end of an Ali Sadiki-taken corner kick to settle the fierce Zvishavane derby as early as the seventh minute.
The platinum miners will play the winner between Dynamos and Gunners, who clash in another quarter final match at Baghdad Stadium this afternoon.
Platinum coach Tendai Chikuni was pleased with his team’s performance.
“We played well and we used Welcome Ndiweni to destroy their game plan in midfield and it worked well for us. We also used wing play from the midfield and that kept them chasing the ball,” said Chikuni.
Luke Masomere, the Shabanie coach, rued missed chances in the second half.
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“We created many chances in the second half but still we failed to score,” said Masomere.
After a pacey start to the match, Platinum settled first with man-of-the match Ndiweni dictating proceedings and killing off the Shabanie midfield moves.
It was from one of his passes that Ngoma broke through and took a shot at a goal that was blocked by Shabanie’s Gifford Muchiwa for a corner kick.
From the resultant corner kick, Sadiki delivered a perfect cross that Ngoma flashed past goalkeeper Victor Twaliki.
Tafadzwa Chiremba, Mbada Diamonds media liaison officer said he was impressed with the level of professionalism and attendance by supporters of both Platinum and Shabanie.
In Chiredzi, Kelvin Mapasure reports that CAPS United booked a semi-final berth after dispatching army side Buffaloes in an exciting quarter-final match at Gibbo Stadium yesterday.
A first half free-kick by Tapiwa Khumbuyani and an own goal by Buffaloes defender Jeffery Takunda in the second half were enough to see the Harare giants progress.
KepeKepe will meet this afternoon’s winner between Highlanders and Monomotapa, who will play at the Colliery in the semis. CAPS raced into the lead with only six minutes of play after winning a free-kick at the edge of the penalty box.
Man-of-the-match Kumbuyani took responsibility and beat both the wall and Buffaloes goalkeeper Tapiwa Mafunga.
Buffaloes tried to come back into the match in the second half but CAPS United held on to the lead, which they could have increased had they utilised all chances that came their way.
The Green Machine put the contest to rest with just two minutes left of play when substitute Clive Kawinga beat two defenders before his resultant cross was turned in by an under-pressure Takunda.
CAPS coach Taurai Mangwiro has set his sights on participation in next year’s Caf Confederations Cup.
“We wasted many good chances but I am happy with the result and the performance. We have to win this Cup because we want to play in the Confederations Cup. Our supporters deserve something good,” said Mangwiro.
From Buffaloes’ camp, coach Saul Chaminuka said: “We were always second on the ball and once we fell behind early in the match, it became difficult to come back,” said Chaminuka.
