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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United utility player Hardlife Zvirekwi was shattered by his penalty miss as the Harare giants’ dream of returning to the African Safari came crashing down with a penalty shoot-out loss to newboys How Mine in a tense finish to a highly contested semi-final of the Mbada Diamonds Cup tie at the National Sports Stadium.
The Warriors player sent his effort wide when he took Makepekepe’s second spot-kick after Tendai Samanja had cancelled out Menard Mupera’s first. The match had to be decided by a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

But with Moses Muchenje and How Mine’s Khumbulani Banda also missing their kicks, it was the Bulawayo side that had the last laugh when Warren Dube gave them a 4-2 victory with a well-taken effort.

“You know when expectations are high and expecting something good and then it doesn’t go that way, you are always bound to be disappointed.

“Taking a penalty kick is more like a gamble and that is why even world class players miss penalties. It happens in football,” said Zvirekwi.
The Warriors player, who provided the assist for CAPS United’s equaliser after they had allowed How Mine to come back from a goal down in the second half, had a good day in the office as he combined well with teenage sensation Gerald Phiri on the right flank.

The Green Machine got their goals through Rahman Kutsanzira and Tawanda Nyamandwe while Warren Dube and Menard Mupera put How Mine back in the game.

How Mine will now meet Highlanders in the final. Bosso also needed a penalty shoot-out to dismiss Harare City on Saturday after the sides had played a 2-2 stalemate.

Zvirekwi said CAPS United played better football this year compared to the last two seasons but was disappointed that they had to bow out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup for the second year running.

“I think we played better in this year’s competition because we played tricky fixtures and still managed to pull through, but that is football.”

How Mine defender Herbert Dick was over the moon with yesterday’s victory but warned of a tough game when they meet Bulawayo giants Highlanders in the final on November 30.

“The derby will be tricky. As you saw with CAPS United we played them three times this season and lost twice. But the third one we won. We should watch out for Highlanders in the final even though we have beaten them twice. We just need to continue with our good run in this competition

“We have to win that match so that we go and play in Africa. That is our aim. But we cannot talk about that now since we still have to play Highlanders in the final,” said Dick.

Dick said CAPS paid heavily for underrating his side.
“These guys maybe though they had already won it before they played the game.

“That is why we came in the second half a changed because we knew that if we only changed our attitude we would make it. That is how we did it and now we are in the final.

“These players have been around for some time.
“Most of them have played many cup games before and it’s only the name which is new in the final. So I don’t think we should be talking about nerves and playing in the final for the first time,” said Dick.

How Mine could also be scratching their noses to play in Africa next year even if they do not win the final since Highlanders may not make it as they are suspended from Caf inter-club competitions.

Bosso were banned for three years in 2012 after failing to take up their slot.