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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter

Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 Herentals

AN exquisite first-half strike by attacking midfielder Arthur “Diego” Musiyiwa was all that Bulawayo Chiefs needed to lift the Chibuku Super Cup as they beat Herentals at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

It was a well-deserved triumph for Chiefs who started the match brightly, enjoying superior ball possession for the better part of the first-half.

Chiefs bombarded Herentals, who to their credit held tight and made life difficult for their opponents.
Chiefs’ persistence paid off when Musiyiwa struck a beauty from outside the box in the 38th minute to beat a diving Chikosi. It was a goal worth winning the game and as the ball left his boot, Musiyiwa knew it was headed for the net as it tucked into the bottom corner.

Chiefs held on to the lead as they went on to secure the US$75 000 prize. Amakhosi Amahle players will pocket 70 percent of that amount, a huge sigh of relief for the players who have gone for months without getting their salaries.

A jubilant Musiyiwa said he went into the final confident that he would score the winner.

“I had a feeling throughout the week that I’ll score in the final. I’ve been practising long-range strikes and when the opportunity presented itself I just grabbed it. The moment I saw the target, I knew that was it and I’m grateful to my teammates as we managed to protect the goal.

“This win means a lot to us after a difficult season and this being my first medal since we came into the Premiership is special,” said Musiyiwa.

Chiefs forward Billy Veremu should have at least scored two goals inside the opening 10 minutes but indecision and poor finishing let him down.

In the first minute, Veremu was set through by Musiyiwa and should have hit the target with his first touch but he chose to control the ball inviting a foul from Herentals at the edge of the box that Chiefs fluffed.

In the eighth minute, Veremu blew another scoring opportunity when he benefited from a Herentals back pass but shot straight at goalie Takudzwa Chikosi.

Action swung to the other end, with Tinotenda Benza showing some deft touches to beat a couple of Chiefs players before laying the ball to Ali Maliselo who shot over the bar.

Chiefs continued with their dominance and in the 34th minute, Musiyiwa threaded a defence-splitting pass to Farau Matare who timed his run to beat the offside but his left shot was easily saved by Chikosi.

There was nothing that Chikosi could do to stop Musiyiwa’s 38th-minute goal.

A minute before halftime Musiyiwa tried a spectacular long-range effort which was easily saved by an alert Chikosi.

Herentals started the second half the better side pushing Chiefs to the back. Five minutes after halftime, a Maliselo shot that was headed for the top corner was headed to safety by Kelvin Madzongwe.

The introduction of Daison Marowa for Herentals club owner Innocent Benza brought some spark to The Students who began to dominate possession.

Chiefs managed to break through Perfect Chikwende in the 55th minute but his final delivery for Veremu on the blindside was poor.

Madzongwe, arguably the best Chiefs player of the day poked the ball away from the path of Marowa who was preparing to pull a trigger in the 57th minute.

Herentals pushed for an equaliser and thought they had found one in injury time through Avi Mataranyika, but referee Brighton Chimhene had blown for a foul on Chiefs goalie David Bizabani.

Herentals players mobbed Chimhene, but the Fifa panel referee who had a good day in office got his call right as he had noticed a Herentals player impeding Bizabani as he went for the ball.

Chiefs should have killed off the contest in injury time but Matare was selfish choosing to go for goal instead of passing the ball to Chikwende who was better positioned.

When Chimhene blew the final whistle, Chiefs exploded into wild celebrations, while Herentals broke in agony.

Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziwa felt his charges gave a good fight as he congratulated Chiefs for the victory.

“It was a good final; the boys did their best and gave a good fight. Throughout the tournament the boys did well, eliminating former champions Ngezi Platinum Stars and FC Platinum as well as Manica Diamonds.

“Congratulations to Chiefs, they took their chance. They controlled the first-half and we controlled the second-half, tried to work our way but they held on.

“Coming all the way to the final was a learning curve for us and next year, hopefully, we will do better,” said Mutiwekuziwa.

Teams

Bulawayo Chiefs: David Bizabani, Felix Moyo, Elvis Moyo, Kevin Moyo, Kelvin Madzongwe, Lucky Ndlela, Mthokozisi Msebe, Billy Veremu (Hughe Chikosa, 63rd minute), Arthur Musiyiwa, Farau Matare (Malvin Mkolo, 94th minute), Perfect Chikwende

Herentals: Takudzwa Chikosi, Brighton Majarira, Tinotenda Benza (Tafadzwa Jim, 88th minute), Blessing Majarira (Denzel Chimwemwe, 65th minute), Ali Maliselo, John Zhuwawo (Archmore Majarira, 88th minute), Innocent Benza (Daison Marowa, 46th minute), Prince Chama (Avi Mataranyika, 75th minute), Wilmore Chimbetu, William Kapumha, Luke Ruguchu.  — @ZililoR