By Tapiwa Chawagarira
CENTRAL Region Soccer League sides West Nicholson and Tongogara have secured their places in the semi-finals of the US$16,000 Dream Inn-GMI Super 8 Challenge Cup after winning their respective quarter-final matches on Saturday.
West Nicholson survived a dramatic encounter against Gwanda Pirates, drawing 1-1 in regulation time before eventually winning an extraordinary penalty shootout 11-10 to secure their place in the last four.
The marathon shootout provided a fittingly tense conclusion to a closely fought contest, with West Nicholson ultimately keeping their nerve to claim one of the four semi-final berths.
Tongogara also progressed after edging Chapungu 2-1 at full time to become the second team to reach the semi-finals.
Attention now turns to the remaining two quarter-final ties scheduled for tomorrow, with Kwekwe United taking on Super Strikers at 3 p.m. at Baghdad Stadium, while Blanket Mine faces Grain Tigers at the same time at Sabiwa Stadium.
The winners of those two matches will complete the semi-final line-up, setting up the next stage of the competition as clubs battle for a spot in the inaugural Dream Inn-GMI Super 8 Challenge Cup final.
The tournament has provided an important, additional competitive platform for Central Region clubs while also bringing corporate sponsorship into the regional game.
With West Nicholson and Tongogara already through, tomorrow’s matches will determine the final two teams that will join them in the semi-finals.
