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The Herald, August 2, 1977

A SECOND rally which was carried right through into the extra period of 30 minutes, gave Black Aces the edge over Zimbabwe Saints when the soccer teams clashed for the Chibuku Trophy at Rufaro Stadium yesterday. 

But the Aces fans who witnessed this tight battle of changing fortunes will be the first to admit lady luck took a helping hand to see them capture their second cup victory this season. 

Having forced Black Aces to play second-fiddle through the first half, the Bulawayo visitors blew their chances of regaining the title they won last year through two errors, which came at vital moments. 

The first, happened straight after resumption when goalkeeper Zebron Magorimbo failed to pick up a straight drive from David Muchineripi to draw the teams’ level at 1-1. 

The next tragic moment came 10 minutes from full time, with the teams deadlocked at 2-2. 

Zimbabwe Saints were awarded a penalty kick for hands but veteran striker Chita Antonyo sent the spot kick against the post and Black Aces breathed again. 

Had that penalty gone home, it’s very unlikely Black Aces would have equalised for the third time before the 90-minute whistle. 

Zimbabwe Saints, who settled down first after the kick-off, raced into the lead after only eight minutes. When Antonyo’s free kick hit against the Black Aces wall of defenders, the ball rolled clear and Andrew Kandengu made no mistake from point blank range. 

The Bulawayo side kept firm control of the exchanges and before the interval, skipper Max Tshuma had come close with an angled drive which was turned for a corner by goalkeeper Booker Muchenu. 

Muchineripi’s ground-short equaliser in the 47th minute, lifted Black Aces from their slumber and for the next 10 minutes they were all over the Saints. 

However, the visitors regained their lead after a quick counter-attack in the 61st minute. Gibson Homela, who had done nothing to enhance his reputation, finished off a brilliant Andrew Kandengu move by firing past Muchenu from 15m. 

Black Aces took nine minutes to find their second equaliser. When July Sharara worked his way for the right and crossed the ball over, Clever Hunda was well positioned from the blind side of the defence to head the ball in. 

The goal which gave Black Aces the verdict came after seven minutes of extra time. 

Bernard Dzingayi lifted a free kick into the danger zone and Muchineripi’s header was half saved by defender Ephraim Moloi before the ball rolled over the line. 

Muchineripi nearly increased their winning margin in the second phase of extra time, but his screaming drive from 30m hit the crossbar and bounced back into play. 

LESSONS FOR TODAY 

 Founded in 1972, Black Aces Football Club was dissolved in 2001.

 The Bulawayo-based Zimbabwe Saints FC was founded in 1931 as Mashonaland United FC. The name was changed in 1975 to remove any forms of ethnic affiliation.

 Gibson Homela was one of the country’s most decorated soccer players of the 20th Century.

 The game of football has faced many changes as players and coaches continue to be exposed to new ways of playing and managing the sport.

 The past year-and-a-half have been very trying for all sporting activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The challenges have exposed sports persons to outright poverty.

Lockdowns have led to loss of income for sports personalities, and a majority of them are in dire straits, living from hand-to-mouth.