Ngezi Platinum Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
(Triangle win 6-5 after a penalty shoot-out)
THE drama continued to unfold in the 2025 edition of the Chibuku Super Cup on Sunday as underdogs Triangle brewed the latest upset in the competition by dumping first round hosts Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab.
The teams had to be separated by a penalty shoot-out tie-break following a goalless draw in regulation time.
And former Young Warriors forward Delic Murimba had to be the fall guy in the shoot-out, having come in as a substitute and then later missing the decisive kick from the spot that handed Triangle the passage to the last eight.
It was a nervy finish as the tie-break evolved into a sudden death with Triangle converting six of the seven kicks via Munyaradzi Mawadza, Mainford Mudzimu, Ali Maliselo, Praise Machengete, Tawanda Chatubuka and Munashe Bamala.
Their coach Genesis Mangombe was excited by the turn of events as the Sugar Sugar Boys recovered from a false start after versatile left-back Nomore Chinyerere had the first kick saved by goalkeeper Darlington Murasiranwa.
“It’s difficult when you reach those moments,” said Mangombe.
“But in a game of football, you have to play until the end. I am happy with the character of the boys because we missed the first penalty and because of that character we came back and we managed to win the game.”
The Sugar Sugar Boys, who travelled over 600km for two Chibuku Super Cup games inside four days, returned to the Lowveld with a great deal of satisfaction, having also beaten Kwekwe United 1-0 in the preliminary round last Thursday.
Mangombe felt they could have wrapped up the game inside regulation time. He is no stranger to causing upsets against the platinum miners as he led Dynamos to their first Chibuku Super Cup success in 2023 at the expense of Takesure Chiragwi’s men.
Mangombe feels Triangle have the capacity to progress in this competition despite their woes in the league competition this season. They had efforts from Ali Sadiki and Mawadza disallowed yesterday.
“We are doing well. Even some of the (disallowed) goals, I thought the referee could have let one or two stand but it’s a game of football.
“They are close to the situation and sometimes, maybe there was an infringement; we don’t know. But we were superior. We were better than our opponents. We had so many entries into the box and had so many chances than them.
“It means we are building something, but we have a dilemma because are also fighting relegation. We will see how we are going to balance the two,” said Mangombe.
Ngezi Platinum Stars coach Chiragwi conceded defeat. Veteran Kudzai Chigwida, Qadr Amini, Nisbert Muzenda, Leslie Kashtigu and Brooklyn Katumba converted their spot kicks while substitutes Ashwin Karengesha and Murimba missed.
“Firstly, I just want to appreciate the effort from the players. But generally I think we didn’t play our normal game, to be honest,” said Chiragwi.
“It was difficult during the last minutes. Of course here and there we did manage to create some chances which we thought could take us home but that’s how it is.
“Sometimes God favours those that want it more. So, they deserved to win. They played very well. Congratulations to Triangle, and I wish them very well in the next stage.”
Triangle emulated Dynamos, Bikita Minerals and Manica Diamonds, who shrugged off the underdog tag to progress to the fquarter-finals, interestingly in similar fashion after winning penalty shoot-outs.
Scottland and MWOS also made it to the last eight. The draw for the quarter-finals will be conducted after the remaining two fixtures that were postponed.
Giants Highlanders are set to face Herentals while Chicken Inn and ZPC Kariba clash in another rescheduled game.
SOURCE: THE HERALD
