The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
MUSHOWANI Stars and TelOne FC are through to the Chibuku Super Cup first round after emerging victorious against Bulawayo Chiefs and Yadah in a preliminary round double-header at Mandava yesterday.
Mushowani will now face Ngezi Platinum Stars in the first round after edging Bulawayo Chiefs 3-2.
TelOne booked a date against Black Rhinos after they beat Yadah 8-7 on penalties after the two teams had played 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Yadah were first to hit the back of the net on the half-hour mark through Wellington Kamudyariwa, before Tafadzwa Sibanda levelled matters for TelOne FC two minutes before the break.
In the other game, Bulawayo Chiefs took an early lead as Francis Darkpata tapped in an Arthur Musiiwa cross two minutes into the game.
Webster Tafa then equalised for Mushowani in the 24th minute before Eria Mafirenyika propelled the Bindura outfit into the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Four minutes after the break, Bulawayo Chiefs had an opportunity to restore parity after they were awarded a penalty, only for Hughe Chisafra to miss the spot kick.
Bulawayo Chiefs continued to press for the equaliser and were rewarded in the 70th minute when Shepherd Mhlanga equalised for the Twitter Boys.
Paul Chiramba ensured that Mushowani booked their place in the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup when he restored his side’s lead in the 73rd minute.
Meanwhile, Triangle coach Taurai Mangwiro is confident that his charges can bounce back when they host Rhinos in a Premiership tie at Gibbo this afternoon.
Triangle and Rhinos are tied on 33 points and separated by a goal difference.
They trail log leaders ZPC Kariba by five points.
Now, Mangwiro has demanded that his charges bounce back from their slump and keep pace with the leading pack.
“We lost to Manica Diamonds and we have accepted what happened in that game, but it’s water under the bridge now,. We have shifted our focus to the upcoming game with Black Rhinos.
“As a team, we were disappointed to have lost that one, we would have wanted to win it and continue with our ascendancy on the log.
“We are not going to get discouraged, the war to win the league is still on and I believe we still have a chance,” said Mangwiro.
In another Premier League battle, FC Platinum are hoping to reclaim the top spot when they take on relegation threatened Herentals at the National Sports Stadium.
With both sides yet to record a victory in their last three encounters, Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva hopes his charges will ease their relegation worries with a victory against the champions.
“FC Platinum are tough opponents with vast experience. But going into the match, we have prepared much through the physical, tactical, physiological and technical aspects of the game.
“We are worried about our position. There is need for us to start winning our games, starting with today’s game,’’ said Mutiwekuziva.
