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Sports Reporter
HWANGE Juniors knocked out Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League championship favourites Tsholotsho FC out of the LG Foods’ $12,000 16-team competition on Saturday, ending their hopes of a league and cup double.Saturday’s clash was a dress-rehearsal for the two teams’ league encounter set for Tsholotsho Business Centre this weekend.

Hwange Juniors beat the title favourites 11-12 after a penalty shootout after the game had ended 0-0 in regulation time.

Tsholotsho FC had rested leading Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League scorer Stanley Chirambadare who has 12 goals, steady defensive midfielder Butholezwe “Ncue” Ncube, their rightback McLive “Skippy” Phiri and Ocean Ncube for their Hwange Juniors game.

“I think by any standard our boys did well even though we went down. It was a cup game and as you know cup games are tricky and the approach is also different. What’s important now is to re-group and work hard for our next must-win encounter against them next Saturday which will keep our title hopes alive,” said Lizwe Sweswe, Tsholotsho FC’s coach.

Hwange Juniors will now play host to Plumtree Chiefs in the semi-finals set for November 23.

Plumtree Chiefs who are now seeking solace in the cup tournament beat Trumus 2-1 with on-loan Highlanders winger Mkhululi Dube grabbing a brace while the visitors got their consolation goal from leftback Brian Chikwenya.

James “Chikopokopo” Chikwenga’s strike against Ntabazinduna powered championship dark horses Black Boots into the last four of the cup tournament where they will face ZPC Hwange who were 3-0 victors over Ajax Hotspurs.

“It was a tough game against Ntabazinduna but we needed this win to boost our confidence ahead of our remaining league games. As much as our sights are on the championship, winning this competition will be a bonus for us,” said Black Boots coach Kudzai Mutuda.

LG Foods 16-team tournament results

Saturday: Black Boots 1-0 Ntabazinduna, ZPC Hwange 3-0 Ajax Hotspurs, Plumtree Chiefs 2-1 Trumus, Tsholotsho 11-12 Hwange Juniors (after penalty shootouts)

Semi-finals, November 23: Black Boots v ZPC Hwange, Hwange Juniors v Plumtree Chiefs

Final, November 29