HOW MINE stormed into the One Wallet semi-finals yesterday after dismissing city rivals Highlanders in a penalty shoot-out at Ascot Stadium in Gweru yesterday.
SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
How Mine . . . (1) 1 Highlanders . .(1) 1
(How Mine won 4-3 on penalties)
Bosso defender Felix Chindungwe thrust his side ahead in the 12th minute before Godfrey Nguwodzawo levelled the scores 17 minutes later.
How Mine scored their penalties through Gilbert Banda, goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura, Wonder Sithole and Brighton Dube.
Only Xolisani Moyo had his penalty saved by Munyaradzi Diya.
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Mthulisi Maphosa, Sibanda and Diya converted for Highlanders while Welcome Ndiweni shot over the bar and Valentine Ndaba had his shot saved.
With a few minutes before the end of the match, Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu made an unprecedented move by introducing goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda for striker Ozias Zibande.
How Mine coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube said he felt at home in the Midlands capital.
“I was feeling at home in the stadium where we picked our first point of the season,” he said after the match.
“There was no way we were going to lose to Highlanders here. If we were at BF (Barbourfields) we would have lost.
“They came to train here, but we had no hassles about that. We play better football away from home “Mental strength and desire to want to win this particular game carried us through.
“There was money at stake. We take each game as it comes, we don’t know who we will play in the semi-finals, but as a team we will keep on planning.
“Highlanders played very well and it is unfortunate that they missed their penalty.”
Kaindu said it was unfortunate that Bosso fell on the first hurdle.
“We wanted to wrap up the match in the 90 minutes. We could have taken advantage of the penalty, but unfortunately we could not convert it,” he said.
“We missed a penalty from our best player which made it even difficult for us.
“We need to focus on the next game. It’s unfortunate that we had to lose in the first round.”
During regulation time an exchange of passes between Charles Sibanda and Knox Mutizwa resulted in the latter laying it for Chindungwe whose shot beat a diving Mazarura in the 12th minute.
In the 29th minute Thembani Masuku shot just outside the 18-yard point with Diya tipping over the bar for a corner.
Edmore Muzanenhamo sent a cross as Nguwodzawo rose above all to head in the equaliser.
Charles was to break the hearts of the hundreds of Bosso supporters when he failed to score a penalty awarded to Highlanders in the 73rd minute after referee Makonese Masakadza pointed to the spot after the Bosso foward was fouled by Morris Kadzola.
Charles’ effort was spilled by Mazarura, but was unlucky as his second effort at goal hit the crossbar.
It was a good result for the Metallon Gold-sponsored side since they had lost 0-3 to Highlanders in the final of the Mbada Diamonds Cup last year.
