YADAH STARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
CRANBORNE BULLETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
SHEASHAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
BLACK RHINOS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
(Black Rhinos won 4-3 on penalties)
Yadah and Black Rhinos sailed through to the first round of the Chibuku Super Cup after beating Cranborne Bullets and Sheasham, respectively, in matches played at Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro Ngezi yesterday.
Russel Chifura scored an 87th minute winner for Yadah in a 12 noon kickoff to hand new coach Takaendesa Jongwe a dream start to his tenure with the Miracle Boys.
The veteran coach who replaced Expense Chitukutuku earlier in the week, returns to premiership football after a 12-year break.
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Chitukutuku has been demoted to the assistant coach role.
For their effort, Yadah will play FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium in the first round on Saturday
“You wouldn't know how I am feeling today,” a relieved Jongwe said after the match.
“A lot happened to me while I was away. To be away from the game for such a long time and then come back and get a win is good. It's good for the club. We hope we keep grinding results.”
He also said the win will boost the players' confidence, with the PHD Ministries-owned club fighting for their dear life in the premier league.
“All along I have been doing some coaching instructions. I also have a small plot so I can also say I was coaching vegetables,” revealed the former Zifa technical director.
Yadah controlled the match for the larger parts of the match and could have wrapped the match in the first half had Jerry Chipangura and Charles “Nhonho” Moffat took their chances.
Losing coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera felt the defeat was a blessing in disguise as he wants his team to concentrate on preserving its league status.
“I can't really say we wanted to lose but we are in the relegation zone and I think we need to concentrate on our survival in the league,” said Saruchera whose team are second from the bottom on the log table.
“We can't chase two things at the same time.”
Cranborne Bullets reached the semi final last year before they were knocked out by Herentals.
In the other match, Rhinos needed the heroics of their goalkeeper Lenon Gonese who saved two penalties in the shootout to carry his team into the first round after a 4-3 win.
Gonese saved kicks from Physiwell Madhazi and Thubelihle Jubane.
Hillary Bakacheza, Stanley Mhare and Kupakwashe Matake all converted for the Construction Boys.
For Rhinos, Nkosi Mhlanga, Daren Mutimuzunze, Chelsea Nyakope and Kelvin Chiripawako all scored while former Dynamos Evans Katema could not beat substitute goalkeeper Elton Sibanda.
Katema was also guilty of missing good chances during regulation time.
The victory was also poetic justice for Rhinos who were denied what looked like a genuine penalty by referee Tichaona Tigere at the death when Lot Chiunga was hacked down from behind as he prepared to shoot at goal.
Rhinos will meet Manica Diamonds in the first round of the competition at Gibbo Stadium on Saturday.
