The Sunday Mail
Tadious Manyepo in MHONDORO-NGEZI
Golden Eagles ………………………………..(0) 2
Ngezi Platinum ………………………………(1)1
SUBSTITUTE Trevor Bhunu and captain Henry Manatsa scored in quick succession to ensure a come-from-behind win for Golden Eagles in this exciting Axis Solutions Super 8 Cup quarter-final clash at Baobab Stadium yesterday. The home team took the lead mid-way through the first half when Elson Mweha drilled home from point-blank range.
They could have added to their tally as they controlled proceedings from then but they were wasteful in front of goal.
The exciting Tinashe Mashaireni and Mweha went close to scoring as Ngezi Platinum, despite missing five of their regular players through injuries, threatened to run riot.
But the script changed in the second stanza when Golden Eagles coach Gilbert Mushangazhike shuffled his cards, pulling out the ageless Chris Samakweri for Bhunu.
The visitors instantly seized the initiative, with Bhunu proving to be a menace.
With just his second touch, he equalised with a tap-in after Cloud Mapoka’s initial shot had hit the upright.
As Ngezi Platinum pressed to restore their advantage, they opened up gaps, which allowed Eagles players led by man-of-the match Tatenda Hapazari to flourish.
For most moments in the second half, it was virtually one-way traffic as Golden Eagles searched for a decisive goal, which duly came through the head of Manatsa.
The skipper was far from his usual best but still managed to control proceedings in a tense contest, whose prize was a place in the semi-finals of the inaugural tournament bankrolled by Axis Solutions.
Mushangazhike said his opponents gave them a good run but was happy his charges prevailed. “It came down to tactics. Our opponents were very dangerous in all aspects of the game, they gave us a real run, but I am very happy we managed to win the match,” said Mushangazhike.
“I am happy, especially with the way we won this match. We were trailing at the break, but I am happy we didn’t panic. We remained collected and played from the back. Tactically, we were good and we kept on believing.
“Then we threw in the substitutes including Bhunu, who then turned the affair into our favour.
“We are now looking forward to the semi-finals and we hope we will also play well. We would like to thank the sponsors of this tournament, Axis Solutions, for bankrolling this tournament.’
Ngezi Platinum coach Klifton Kadurira was naturally disappointed.
“We didn’t have eight of our players who are injured. We only had 14 players for today’s (yesterday) match. My players did well under the circumstances but failure to convert chances was our biggest undoing,” said Kadurira.
“Obviously it is something very disappointing but I want to salute my troops for a good game.”
Golden Eagles will now face winners of the match between Commando Bullets and Trojan, who meet in the last quarter-final at Trojan in Bindura this afternoon.
Simba Bhora and Herentals Under-20 will face off in the other semi-final after both prevailed in their respective quarter-final matches last week.
Herentals U-20 beat Black Mambas 5-4 on penalties, while Simba Bhora were 4-0 winners over Chegutu Pirates in the first quarter-finals.
The sponsors of this tournament, which is being contested by the top eight clubs in the first stanza of the Northern Region Division One Soccer League, are giving a US$100 reward for man-of-the-match in each game, and yesterday it was Hapazari who went home richer.
