Giants flex muscles to storm into quarter-finals

Veronica Gwaze, Onward Gangata and Innocent Muchochomi, Zimpapers Sports Hub

EXPERIENCE prevailed over enthusiasm as Scottland flexed their muscles to trample MWOS U19 and storm way into the Zifa Munhumutapa Challenge Cup quarter-finals via a 6-0 demolition at Rufaro yesterday.

Coach Norman Mapeza, mindful of the much tougher Caf Champions League assignment on Sunday, tinkered with his squad selection, resting the bulk of his regulars.

But Scottland were still strong enough for the Northern Region Soccer League side MWOS U19, who are a bunch of rookies from Mabviravira’s Premiership rivals MWOS.

Goals from forgotten striker Tymon Machope, Kingsley Mureremba, Kwakhe Thwala, Emmanuel Ziocha and a brace from Neville Tengeg ensured a safe passage for Mapeza’s treble-chasing side.

Scottland appeared determined to get the deal done from the onset, searching for early goals when in the second minute Anderson Cardoso de Campos whipped in a perfect corner from the right, but Mureremba’s header sailed slightly over the bar.

Their early pressure paid off in the 13th minute when Machope showed predatory instincts to finally poke home from close range.

In the 30th minute Campos cut in from the left and looked to score, but Ryan Handirade made a crucial goal-line clearance with a brave header to keep his effort out.

Three minutes later Mureremba made no mistake, finishing with a low shot inside the box to beat goalkeeper Tawedzerwa Guranungo.

After taking a 2-0 lead at the breather, Scottland went into overdrive in the second period, adding four more goals.

Once Thwala made it 3-0 in the 51st minute, it became a one-sided affair.

Second-half substitutes Tengeg with a double and Ziocha then added their names to the goal feast.

Despite the huge loss, MWOS U19 coach Wonder Ngoko praised his charges.

“We knew what we were getting into, it would be a tall order and I had told my boys to play the same way we do in our training and our games . . . they did just that,” he said.

“The scoreline says something else but we were focusing on positives and it worked out for us; we were looking for exposure against the league champions and the boys showed a lot of character which is impressive.”

Mapeza gave credit to his opponents for “putting on a good fight.”

“Most people thought this would be an easy one but I must say it was not; they restricted us to two goals in the first half and I am happy that the changes we made at half-time gave us a bumper yield.

“We had to rotate our players because we have big games coming in the midweek and the Caf Champions League at the weekend hence we gave other guys game time.

“We have to manage our recovery so that we are back to our feet by midweek against FC Platinum,” Mapeza said.

At Ascot in Gweru

Bulawayo Chiefs got the job done as early as the first half grabbing both their goals in the opening period for a 2-0 triumph

In an entertaining match, a goal each by Arthur Musiyiwa and Clive Rupiya made the difference but Amakhosi were made to sweat for the win after being stretched by the Zifa Midlands Division Two side.

Chili were the better side particularly in the second half forcing Bulawayo Chiefs goalkeeper Wallace Magalane into a string of saves.

They were twice denied by the woodwork and had two goals disallowed in the second half.

Striker, Charles Bandi hit the back of the nets but was flagged for offside in the first instance while the other goal was ruled out for a handball in the build-up play.

Chiefs coach John Nyikadzino admitted his side were lucky to emerge victorious.

“My boys did not underrate the opponents but after scoring two goals they went to sleep,” the veteran coach acknowledged.

“The opponents had an upper hand in certain moments, they hit the upright twice, that on its own is a sign of complacency on our part.

“In general, I think we were in control but that element of complacency is something we have to correct going forward.”

Chili coach Jatson Maphosa was gracious in defeat, focusing on his side’s strong attacking intent after the breather.

“That shows you we came back in the second half a changed team but when it is not your day, it’s not your day. We tried to grind results but it was not meant to be,” said Maphosa.

Students stun Ngezi at Baobab

Ten-man Herentals produced a vintage performance to knock Ngezi Platinum Stars out in an exciting show of end-to-end football at Baobab in Mhondoro-Ngezi.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Herentals displayed remarkable character and resilience, creating several clear-cut chances and had they been more clinical, they could have gone into the break with a healthy advantage.

Herentals finally broke the deadlock shortly after the half-time when Ralph Kawondera found the target in the 55th minute.

Ngezi responded swiftly, with striker Marvellous Mukumba restoring parity with a spectacular volley.

With both sides pushing for victory, Herentals stepped up their attacking pressure and regained the lead when Eric Dombo capitalised on a poor defensive clearance before unleashing a powerful effort into the far corner giving an otherwise impressive Ngezi goalkeeper Mariyoni Chang no chance

However, Dombo’s celebrations proved costly.

Already on a yellow card, the Herentals forward was booked for a second time after removing his shirt during the celebration and was subsequently sent off.

The visitors, however, remained resolute and frustrated Ngezi’s attempts to find a second equaliser and instead made the game safe when veteran Lot Chiwunga rose from the bench to seal a sweet victory.

“It is quite disappointing that we are failing to protect the fortress of our home,”said Ngezi coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziwa.

“This is now the second cup competition in which we have been eliminated while playing at home. We were knocked out of the Chibuku Super Cup and now we are out of this competition.

“Considering that this is one of the most lucrative cups, as a coach and as a team, we would love to progress, but we did not do much in this game.

“It is quite disappointing, but that is part of the game. We now have to focus on the league,” he said.

His Herentals counterpart Paul Benza attributed the win to determination and persistence.

“I am very happy with the win, especially against Ngezi at their backyard. It gives us confidence, and the boys are also happy to have delivered.”

“This result gives us confidence that we can defeat any opponent as we pursue our goal of reaching the final,” said Benza.