Highlanders 3-0 FC Platinum
BULAWAYO – A resurgent Highlanders stormed into the semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup on Sunday with a thumping victory over FC Platinum at Barbourfields.
Henrick Pieter de Jongh’s side never looked troubled once Prince Dube, hero of the 1-0 first round victory over Dynamos, converted a 9th minute penalty awarded for hand ball against Lawrence Mhlanga.
Denzel Khumalo found the top corner with his left foot on 27 minutes as the home team doubled their lead.
Tinashe Makanda applied the coup de grâce two minutes before the 90 with a tap-in from close range to keep Highlanders on course for season-saving silverware.
At Vengere in Rusape, ZPC Kariba reached the last four after coming from a goal down to beat Manica Diamonds 2-1.
Stanley Ngala had put Manica in front after 13 minutes before his goal was cancelled out a Godwills Gwara leveller on the half hour mark.
Partson Jaure conceded a penalty after handling in the box two minutes from halftime and James Marufu fired in the spot-kick to give the visitors the lead.
Marufu then almost turned villain when he handled in his own box five minutes from the end. Takunda Jefferey’s spot kick beat the visiting goalkeeper Future Sibanda but went inches wide of the upright as ZPC Kariba held on.
On Saturday, Ngezi Platinum Stars reached the semi-finals via a penalty shoot-out after their match ended 0-0 with Black Rhinos at Baobab. Ngezi won the penalty lottery 5-3.
The other quarter-final between Harare City and Triangle was postponed because of the latter’s participation in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Triangle were beaten 2-0 by Nouadhibou of Mauritania at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya in the first leg of their qualification play-off.
