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Bongani Mafu

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
CASH-STRAPPED Highlanders blew away a golden opportunity to improve their financial position when they were booted out of the lucrative Chibuku Super Cup in the first round by neighbours How Mine. The match was taken 4-3 on penalties by the gold miners after the match had ended 1-1 in regulation time. To all intents and purposes, Highlanders should have put the match to bed in regulation time.

Amahlolanyama’s world collapsed when debutant, Thembinkosi Simango saw his last and crucial spot kick saved by How Mine goalie Donovan Bernard, to send the once feared Bosso to the cleaners, joining lowly sides like Dongo Sawmill, Whawha, Flame Lily, Buffaloes and Tsholotsho. Hwange and Caps United are the other two sides that were also knocked out in the first round, Makepekepe becoming the only seeded side to bite the dust.

Questions were immediately asked when Simango took the short walk from the centre circle towards the Mpilo End goal where penalties were being taken. Even though Bongani Mafu, the Highlanders coach, tried to justify why the former Ngezi FC player was chosen ahead of battle hardened warriors like Felix Chindungwe, Bruce Kangwa, Honest Moyo and even Njabulo Nyoni, questions will linger until the next Chibuku Super Cup fixtures in 2016 why that boy was given such a huge responsibility.

Was someone trying to prove a point at the expense of Highlanders or was it a ploy to market the player at the expense of the team?

Simango was playing his first high profile match for Highlanders and was given the responsibility of taking the crucial and decisive spot kick.

He fluffed it and this could affect his confidence.

Had Highlanders taken their chances, especially in the first 15 minutes, the story could have been very different by the time referee Allen Basvi blew for fulltime. Stand-in skipper Obidiah Tarumbwa played himself to a standstill, while Simon Munawa also had a decent game in the middle of the park, coming up with crucial tackles.

But the goals could not come as the experienced How Mine players, with a combined minimum of 60 years of premiership football, held their own.

Luke Masomere’s boys kept their shape in attack and defence and their resilience eventually paid off with a ticket to the quarter-finals while Bosso left with their tails between their legs.

They now have the invitational $12,000 ZNA Charities Trophy as the only cup they would have won this season.

How Mine were decisive in their attack, never venturing forward unless sure of a kill and skipper Tapiwa Kumbuyani covered every blade of grass while forward Kuda Musharu was always a danger whenever in possession.

Never far from controversy, Masomere alleged the Highlanders equaliser, a 30-metre stunner by stand in skipper Tarumbwa should not have stood as the referee had indicated an indirect free kick.

The set piece was awarded after Munawa was hacked down as he charged towards Bernard’s goal area.

Meanwhile, all the seeded teams save for Caps United, progressed to the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup whose winners will represent the country in the Confederations Cup.

Makepekepe were knocked out 4-1 on penalties by ZPC Kariba following a 2-all deadlock in regulation time.

Harare City got the ball rolling on Friday with a 4-1 demolition of Buffaloes while on Saturday, Chicken Inn were 2-0 winners over Hwange in a match that had its fair share of controversy at Luveve Stadium. DeMbare laboured to a 1-0 win over Whawha, Chapungu progressed courtesy of a 2-1 win over Flame Lily. Holders FC Platinum are still on course to defend their title following their 2-0 win over Dongo Sawmill.

Sunday’s matches were all decided on penalty shootouts, Triangle prevailing 3-0 over a spirited Tsholotsho FC after the two teams were tied 2-2 in normal time.

The quarter-finals will be played during midweek next week while the semi-finals will be held on the weekend of October 3-4.