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Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
HARARE City forward Francesco Zekumbawira said he even surprised himself as he thrust his side into the lead when they condemned struggling Highlanders to a 3-0 defeat in a Chibuku Super Cup semi-final clash at Rufaro yesterday. The tall striker, who is enjoying his game at Harare City, received the ball in the box, created a pocket of space on the left and then turned around to take a shot that went in far and eluded goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda just before the half-time whistle.

Zekumbawira’s goal gave Harare City the advantage when they went for the break and the Sunshine Boys increased their lead when substitute William Manondo and Martin Vengesayi scored the insurance goals in the second half.

But it was Zekumbawira’s goal that had settled Harare City’s nerves as Bosso had dominated their opponents in the early stages and threatened to score with Charles Sibanda driving the team’s raids.

In their last meeting in a league match three weeks ago, it was Zekumbawira’s lone effort that gave Harare City the three points against Highlanders and yesterday he was a thorn in the Bulawayo’s giants’ backside again.

“My goal did enough to put us in the game and we started the second half on a high note and that’s why we increased the lead.
“We play as a team and when I cannot score, I have to create chances for others,” said the tall striker who engineered the second goal for Manondo.

Zekumbawira failed to blossom during his short stint at Dynamos, on loan from Hwange as his career was blighted by injuries and pressure of playing for the Harare giants.
But away from the pressure that is normally exerted by the noisy and demanding DeMbare supporters, Zekumbawira’s star shone once again at Rufaro yesterday.
The rangy forward is however, not resting on his laurels after condemning ailing Bosso to their second big defeat in as many visits to the capital.

“I have not reached up to the stage where I want to be. I have to work hard and return to the top of my game again,” he said.
Not even the presence of Cosmos Zulu as technical adviser on the Highlanders bench could change the complexion of results for Bosso as they could have lost by a far bigger margin had Harare City been more precise in their finishing in the second half.

Zulu was brought in to take charge after caretaker coach Mike Mathe saw Highlanders crash to a 4-0 defeat by in a league match at the National Sports Stadium last Sunday.
Zekumbawarira, however, felt Bosso had failed to turn their early dominance into goals and eventually paid dearly for their ineptitude.

“Highlanders dominated us in the first 20 minutes but we then got into the game. My goal was just a shocker. It was just a snap shot and I was surprised that the effort went through,” said Zekumbawira.

Harare City will now meet FC Platinum in the final after the miners beat Black Rhinos 1-0 in the other semi-final at Rufaro on Saturday.
The venue and the date of the final are however, yet to be decided on by the Premier Soccer League.