Bosso through to Mbada Cup final

By Langton Nyakwenda in ZVISHAVANE

Harare City 2-2 Highlanders (Highlanders won 5-3 on penalties)

Bulawayo giants Highlanders came from behind twice before snatching victory in the penalty shootouts in a pulsating Mbada Diamonds Cup semi final match before a full house at Mandava Stadium yesterday. 

The long wait is now over for Bosso whose last appearance in a major cup final was two years ago when they lost to Motor Action in the final of the BancABC Sup8r Cup.

They now await the winner between Caps United and How Mine who clash today in the other semi final of the country’s richest knockout tournament.

Yesterday’s victory also kept alive Bosso’s dream of a league and cup double as they are still in the running for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship.

Bosso’s heroic keeper, Munyaradzi Diya recovered from a nightmarish first half and blasted home the winning penalty just after he had saved from David Kutyauripo who took Harare City’s fourth kick.

The eccentric Diya took off his gloves just before Kutyauripo took his kick and the psychological move seemed to have unnerved the City defender whose rather weak shot was saved by the Bosso keeper.

Diya’s move drew a lot of questions from the fans but match commissioner and former top referee, Wilfred Mukuna who confirmed the move was legal.

Veteran midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa, dreadlocked Bekimpilo Ncube, impressive left back Bruce Kangwa and the comical Njabulo Ncube were all on target for Bosso while the diminutive James Jam, substitute Willard Kalongonda and centre back Crispen Dickson converted for Harare City.

But it was the Sunshine Boys who looked well poised for a fairytale run in a match that produced four goals in an electrifying first half that was capped by two fabulous goals from man of the match Silas Songani and Crybert Muvuti as City went ahead twice.

They drew first blood in the 12th minute through a blistering free kick off the boot of a fired up Songani and what a beauty it was. The Warriors international winger curled the ball over the Bosso wall, into the far corner of the net and there was nothing a bemused Diya could do.

The wonderful goal silenced the vociferous Bosso crowd packed at the Chibuku End stand but Harare City’s lead was however cut short as Bekimpilo Ncube took advantage of a static City defence to tap home the equalizer in the 17th minute.

But City were not finished as Muvuti returned to haunt Diya with a booming shot from outside the eighteen yard box to restore the Sunshine Boys’ lead.

Then came the rather controversial moment of the game when Hwange referee, Hardley Ndazi awarded Bosso a penalty that most City sympathizers felt was a bit harsh.

And Muvuti would soon turn from hero to villain as he was adjudged to have tripped Bosso linkman, Simon Munawa and Diya made no mistake from the resultant spot kick.

The equalizer ignited Bosso who could have surged ahead just before half time but their highly rated striker, Gabriel Nyoni skied his effort in front of goal after he was set up by the intelligent Njabulo Ncube.

Bosso made an injury inspired double substitution at the start of the second half bringing in veterans Mthulisi Maphosa and Innocent Mapuranga for Hillary Madzivanyika and Dumisani Ndlovu respectively, but the move did not change the complexion of the game.

City goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu’s superb save from a Masimba Mambare hard and low drive and another moment of sheer goalkeeping brilliance from Diya who expertly denied substitute, Talent Chawapiwa were the major highlights of a second half that paled in comparison with the exhilarating first stanza.

Bosso coach Kelvin Kaindu dedicated the victory to the Highlanders supporters.

“It has been long since we reached this stage and the fans deserve to smile at last,” he said.

His counterpart, Bigboy Mawiwi, felt his team was robbed of a deserved victory and said his attention was now onto the league race.

“That penalty call was daylight robbery. But that is the nature of the game and I guess it was not our day,” said Mawiwi.

Mbada Diamonds Cup organizing committee chairperson, Tafadzwa Chiremba was pleased with the turnout and hinted that the gate charges would remain at $1 for the final which now looks set for Bulawayo after Bosso’s victory.

“We will plead with the stakeholders of the tournament for the gate charges to remain at $1 as we continue with our vision of affording fans a chance to watch their favourite stars in action,” said Chiremba. Sunday Mail

Teams

Harare City: M. Nyamupangedengu, Munyaradzi Nyenye, Tongayi Chiworeso (T. Chawapiwa 46th), Crispen Dickson, D. Kutyauripo, J. Jam, S. Songani, C. Muvuti (W. Kalongonda 85th), M. Vengesayi (W. Manondo 78th), G. Nguwodzawo, N. Ziwini.

Highlanders: M. Diya, L. Nkomo (M. Ncube 67th), B. Kangwa, D. Ndlovu (I. Mapuranga 46th), M. Mambare, B. Ncube, S. Munawa, G. Nyoni, N. Ncube, H. Madzivanyika (M. Maphosa 46th), E. Mudzingwa