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THE THREE MUSKTEERS . . . Harare City goalscorers, Francisco Zekumbawira (left) William Manondo (with back to camera) and Martin Vengesai celebrate Manondo’s goal at Rufaro yetserday. (Picture by John Manzongo)

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter—-
Highlanders…0
Harare City.(1) 3
HARARE City coach Masimba Dinyero believes the Sunshine Boys could have won by an even bigger margin yesterday after handing beleaguered Bulawayo giants Highlanders another thorough hiding in the semi-final of the Chibuku Super Cup at Rufaro. Herculean striker Francisco Zekumbawira, who was a huge a flop following a difficult time at Harare giants Dynamos two seasons ago, seized the stage to remind his critics of his striking qualities with a fine afternoon’s work which he capped by grabbing the opener and setting up substitute William Manondo for the second goal.

Speedy merchant Martin Vengesai then put the icing on the cake for Dinyero’s men when he raced into position on the stroke of full time to beat Ariel Sibanda with a powerful grounder.

Zekumbawira used his big frame and strength to great effect yesterday as he gave ageing Bosso centre back Innocent Mapuranga and his defence a torrid time.
This is also the second time in as many meeting between the two sides at Rufaro that Zekumbawira has given the Bosso defenders an afternoon to forget after striking the solitary goal in City’s league win over Highlanders. It was yet another bad day in office for Bosso especially coming on the back of last weekend’s 4-0 league loss to CAPS United at the National Sports Stadium.

Something just isn’t right in the Bosso camp and apart from being sent packing from the Chibuku Cup, Bosso also face PSL sanctions after they let their belief in juju get the better of them and used an undesignated entry point onto the pitch.

Yet when the business of the day got underway, Bosso were the first to make a positive start but that momentum lasted just over 20 minutes and by the time the half-time whistle was blown, Zekumbawira had broken the Highlanders hearts with a well taken goal that went in off the upright post.

Zekumbawira, was the destroyer in chief yesterday as he kept the ball well upfront and created many openings for his teammates especially in the second half. His exploits won the firmer Hwange and Dynamos man the praises of his coach Dinyero.

Dinyero, however, said he would have wanted more from his forward after they turned on the power on a seemingly hapless Bosso side that has now conceded seven goals in just two visits to the capital.

“He (Zekumbawira) is a good ball keeper and has created so many chances for his colleagues. Unfortunately we managed to score only three but I thought we were going to have a harvest today. Tough luck to those who missed their chances. Otherwise it was a great game for the whole team,” said Dinyero.

After chasing the ball for most of the first half, Harare City did themselves a great service when Zekumbawira put them ahead in the 44th minute with a well taken left footer.
Zekumbawira was just too difficult to handle for the defenders and this time he wrestled for possession inside the box and created enough space for himself as he shot on the turn to beat goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda. Manondo then doubled the lead in the 65th minute, with Zekumbawira providing a brilliant assist after holding back two markers before deftly laying the ball into space.

“The boys have been playing very well. They played to instruction and they did very well. They were mentally, physically and psychologically prepared. We avoided an early goal which resulted in Highlanders tiring because they always come in the first 15-20 minutes but today we have not given them the room. I am happy with their performance,” said Dinyero. The Sunshine Boys mentor, who has significantly transformed the side following a poor start this year, was happy to see his team book a place for their first cup final. City’s bid to get into their maiden cup final appearance was dashed by Highlanders last year through a penalty shootout after their Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final match had ended 2-2 at Mandava.

But this time they got it right and they will keep their fingers crossed as winners of this 16-team tournament are likely to represent the country in the Caf Confederation Cup.
The Sunshine Boys will now clash with bogey side FC Platinum in the final of the US$500 000 tournament on a date and venue to be advised by the Premier Soccer League. The platinum miners edged Black Rhinos 1-0 on Saturday.

Highlanders caretaker coach, Mark Mathe, was disappointed by his team’s semi-final exit. Mathe however appears to be finding the ride bumpy as he fell to his second defeat in charge since taking over from Zambian Kelvin Kaindu who left two weeks ago. The Bulawayo giants yesterday looked like they were going to make amends and atone for the poor run which has now seen them winless in five competitive matches but their game plan suffered a huge dent when they lost two key players — left back Bruce Kangwa and midfield workhorse Erick Mudzingwa — through injuries in the first half.

Mathe said they lost the game when they allowed City to take the lead as his players lacked the fighting spirit to overturn the deficit. Earlier on, Charles Sibanda, Simba Sithole and Kangwa had come close but they either found goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu at the right place or dragged their efforts wide.

“I don’t want to argue that we lost the game because of that but it really affected our tactics and then we ended up making those changes that were not planned for.
“It affected our rhythm but all in all I think we lack the fighting spirit, because after the goal that we conceded some few seconds before the interval . . . we lost the game mentally,” said Mathe.

Teams:
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, E. Mudzingwa (T. Dephistara, 33rd minute), H. Moyo, D. Ndlovu, F. Chindungwe, I. Mapuranga, M. Maphosa, R. Kutsanzira (P. Manhanga, 66th minute), B. Kangwa (S. Munawa, 31st minute), C. Sibanda S. Sithole

Harare City: M. Nyamupangedengu, M. Diro, A. Chivheya, D. Kutyauripo, A. Chaka, T. Ngulube, T. Mamvura, M. Vengesai, O. Mukuradare (W. Manondo, 61st minute), F. Zekumbawira, T. Chawapiwa (B. Maglasi, 75th minute).