BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE IN MHONDORO NGEZI
Ngezi Platinum U-19 . . (1)1
Golden Eagles . . .. . . . . (0)2
FLAMBOYANT Northern Region Soccer League side Golden Eagles put up a brilliant second half performance to bounce back from a goal down to beat Ngezi Platinum Under-19 side and progress to the semifinals of the Axis Solutions Super 8 Cup at Baobab Stadium yesterday.
Goals from substitute Trevor Bhunu and Nomore Tsabura in the second half saw Eagles overcome a depleted Ngezi Platinum’s developmental side.
The hosts had taken the lead through a well taken goal by Elson Mweha.
Eagles join Herentals Under-20 and log leaders Simba Bhora into the semifinal of the inaugural knockout competition.
Former Warriors striker Gilbert Mushangazhike, who is the Eagles coach was pleased with his team’s performance and revealed the desire to go all the way in the competition.
“Playing a tournament gives you an opportunity to make history. By God’s grace we want to try and go for it (the title) 100 percent,” he told journalists
The match started off slowly with both sets of players struggling to string some passes in a wet and slippery field.
But it was Ngezi Platinum who found the gear first and dominated the exchanges as the first wore on.
It was not a surprise when Mweha slipped past his marker and slotted the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Lloyd Majarira 10 minutes before halftime.
Gondo Harishaye came back from the breather a rejuvinated side and needed just nine minutes to draw level after substitute Bhunu bundled home a rebound after striker Claude Mapoka’s initial shot struck the post and bounced graciously for him moments after coming on.
Mushangazhike’s men completed the comeback when Bhunu flighted a beautiful cross which saw Tsabura rise the highest and glanced it off the post into the net.
Ngezi pilled on the pressure in search of an equaliser and had chances through Tinashe Mashaireni and Mweha but it was not to be.
“We created about or five clear chances and maybe at the end of the day we could have won it. I want to give credit to the guys they played very well despite us missing up to eight players,” Ngezi developmental side coach Klifton Kadurira said after the match.
Trojan Stars and Commando clash in the final quarterfinal match of the competition at Trojan Mine today.