By Tapiwa Chawagarira
HARARE — The inaugural Munhumutapa Challenge Cup reached the semi-final stage yesterday after Scottland, Herentals and FC Platinum completed the quarter-final programme to join FC Hunters in the last four.
The quarter-finals produced two penalty shoot-outs and a convincing victory, with Scottland edging Bulawayo Chiefs 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw at Rufaro Stadium, while Herentals overcame Hardrock 6-5 from the spot following a 1-1 stalemate at Chahwanda Stadium.
FC Platinum produced the most emphatic result of the day, beating Blanket Mine 3-0 at Luveve Stadium to book their place in the semi-finals.
The results mean Scottland will face Herentals in one semi-final, while FC Platinum will meet the fast-rising FC Hunters in the other.
The semi-final line-up underlines the contrasting stories emerging from the inaugural competition, with established Premiership heavyweights being joined by Hunters, who are enjoying a remarkable debut season in the top flight.
Scottland had to work hard to overcome a determined Bulawayo Chiefs side at Rufaro. After neither side could break the deadlock in normal time, the match went straight to penalties, where the league champions held their nerve to win 5-4.
Scottland goalkeeper Prince Tafiremutsa was the hero of the shoot-out, saving two penalties to secure his side’s passage into the last four.
For Chiefs, Elvis Moyo and Malvern Hativagoni missed their attempts as Scottland survived a tense finish.
The result adds another chapter to Scottland’s impressive domestic campaign, with the club having already established itself as one of the country’s leading forces.
At Chahwanda, Herentals produced another composed cup performance, eliminating Hardrock 6-5 on penalties after the two sides finished 1-1 in normal time.
The Students, who have developed a reputation for causing problems for established sides in knockout football, held their nerve from the spot to set up a semi-final clash with Scottland.
FC Platinum, meanwhile, avoided the drama of penalties by producing the day’s most convincing result.
The Zvishavane giants defeated ambitious Blanket Mine 3-0 at Luveve to end the Gwanda side’s impressive cup run and secure their place in the last four.
Blanket Mine had entered the quarter-finals with nothing to lose after reaching the last eight as one of the competition’s surprise packages. Their young squad had hoped to produce another giant-killing performance against FC Platinum, but the Premiership side proved too strong on the day.
The result sets up an intriguing semi-final against Hunters, who had already secured their place in the last four after eliminating CAPS United at Rufaro on Saturday.
Hunters came from two goals down to force a 2-2 draw before goalkeeper Brendon Mkuli inspired them to a 3-1 penalty-shootout victory. Ishmael Wadi had scored twice for CAPS United in the first half, but Terrence Dzukamanja and Ronald Pfumbidzai dragged Hunters back into the contest before Mkuli saved three penalties.
Hunters’ progress means they have now reached the semi-finals of both the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup and the Chibuku Super Cup.
The Premiership newcomers had earlier stunned defending Chibuku champions Dynamos in the quarter-finals, winning 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Their latest victory over CAPS United means they have now eliminated two of Zimbabwe’s traditional giants during a remarkable debut campaign.
The Munhumutapa Challenge Cup was introduced this year as a major national knockout competition and has already delivered several unexpected results, with lower-profile sides challenging the established order.
The official competition schedule lists the men’s semi-finals for December 6, with the final set for December 22.
The remaining four sides will now turn their attention to the semi-finals, with Scottland facing Herentals and FC Platinum taking on Hunters for places in the inaugural Munhumutapa Challenge Cup final.
