BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
Ngezi Platinum Stars…….. (0) 1
Cranborne Bullets……………(0) 0
BRUNO Mtigo netted his seventh goal in the Chibuku Super Cup to help Ngezi Platinum Stars weather a literal storm to reach a second consecutive final appearance in an eventful last-four encounter against Cranborne Bullets at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Mtigo extended his lead in the race for the Golden Boot to two goals making the most of a brilliant pass by his nearest rival on the goal charts Denver Mukamba two minutes into the second half.
However, Cranborne Bullets who are Premier Soccer League newcomers are competing in their first ever Chibuku Cup will feel hard done by referee Martin Chivandire, who waved away a seemingly genuine penalty shout late in the game.
Ngezi Platinum managed to hang on to their slender lead to have another shot at the title after losing to Highlanders in the 2019 final, despite a heavy downpour late in the game rendered the pitch unplayable.
The platinum miners coach Rodwell Dhlakama was pleased after guiding Ngezi Platinum to yet another Chibuku Cup final on the trot.
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“Going into the final for a second year running it’s important for me, it’s important for the team, it is also important for the fans and for the management. It was a difficult game I want to be honest, cup games are always difficult,” he said in the post-match interview.
Cranborne Bullets had a fair share of chances through Tendai Kachembere, Tapiwa Sibanda and Everson Feremba in the first half.
Mclint Namakhoma and Sibanda could have drawn Bullets level in the second half while Wonder Kapinda was denied by the crossbar in the 67th minute.
A late incident saw substitute Tinotenda Meke being hacke d down in the box, but Chivandire waved play on amid protests from Bullets players.
“I think we should have scored one or two, we were just unfortunate. Normally I don’t want to comment on the other side, which I cannot control but overall it was a very good game,” Cranborne Bullets coach Nesbert Saruchera told journalists.
Earlier Mukamba was unlucky not to get on the score sheet after his 3rd minute effort struck woodwork.
Ngezi Platinum Stars will play the winner between Dynamos and FC Platinum on December 4.
