HARARE – Highlanders lost 5-3 on penalties to Caps United to surrender their bid for the country’s richest trophy in a Chibuku Super Cup quarter final clash played at Barbourfields stadium on Sunday.
Highlanders, who were without their head coach Baltemar Brito who is out on Warriors duty, had fought gallantly to cancel two first half strikes by the Harare side to end the match tied on 2 goals apiece.
Clive Rupiya and Tulani Joseph had fired Makepekepe to the front with two quick strikes moments before the half time break.
Highlanders replied in like format with two strikes by Mbongeni Ndlovu after 54 minutes and Andrew Mbeba on 63
Bosso could not finish their gallant feat after only converting three of their penalty kicks while Caps United netted all their efforts.
The Highlanders defeat adds to a turbulent episode to what started as a promising campaign with the Bulawayo giants enjoying a remarkable 19 game unbeaten run in the premiership race.
The team boasting the country’s most loyal football support base has seen its fortunes take a knock in recent weeks with disappointing premiership losses to FC Platinum, Chicken Inn and lately Hwange.
Meanwhile, premiership league leaders Ngezi Platinum continued with their fine run after beating 2022 losing finalists Herentals 5-4 in another fixture that had to be decided through spot kicks.
The match had ended with a 1-all stalemate after 90 minutes.
On Saturday, Dynamos also triumphed 5-3 on penalties over two-time Chibuku Cup winners FC Platinum while 90 minutes were enough for surprise semi-finalists Black Rhinos to beat Chicken Inn 2-1.
With the weekend results, Dynamos set up a semi-final clash with old rivals Caps United in what could turn out to be the proverbial final-before-a-final.
Black Rhinos, who currently anchor the premiership table, date table toppers Ngezi Platinum Stars in a David-Goliath affair.
The semi-finals are set for 28 and 29 October 2023.
