CHAPUNGU beat Highlanders 2-1 in a penalty shootout in the CG Msipa Charity Tournament semi-final match played at Ascot Stadium in Gweru yesterday to book a date with FC Platinum in the finals set for Mandava Stadium this afternoon.
Sports Reporter
Chapungu ………. .(0) 0 Highlanders ………(0)0 Chapungu won 2-1 on penalties
The match had ended 0-0 in regulation time.
Lawrence Mapuya and Charles Murisa scored for the home side while only Charles Sibanda managed to hit the back of the net for Highlanders.
Bruce Kangwa, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Peter “Rio” Moyo and goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda missed their spot-kicks for Highlanders while Blessed Mbavarira and Brighton Mugoni failed to covert for Chapungu.
Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi was the hero of the afternoon after he saved two penalties.
The match started on a rather low note with most action concentrating in the middle of the park as no clear cut chances were created in the first period.
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It was only after the breather that both teams started to take the match to each other, much to the delight of an appreciative crowd at Ascot.
Chapungu could have opened the scoring in the 49th minute when Calisto Maheya sent in a beautiful cross from the left for an unmarked Rodwell Mhlanga on the right who surprisingly directed hiseffort out for a Highlanders goal-kick.
Highlanders responded in the 54th minute when Peter Moyo’s free-kick hit the upright from outside the box with Mazingi a beaten man.
Chapungu held on and absorbed Bosso raids to force the match to the dreaded penalty shootout. Highlanders assistant coach Mark Mathe was pleased with his team’s performance.
“I think this was a good performance by our boys considering that it was a pre-season match.
“There are a lot of areas we have to work on and this match has helped us to notice those gray areas,” he said.
His Chapungu counterpart, John Nyikadzino paid tribute to his boys for showing mental strength managing to hold Highlanders until the final whistle.
