By Delicious Mathuthu
It will be an all Eastern and Southern affair in the Champion of Champions Cup finals clash set for this afternoon (Sunday 8 December 2024), at Bata Stadium in Gweru as Triangle United takes on ZPC Hwange.
The cup, which brings together league champions from the four Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Division 1 regions, is a first-of-its-kind tournament.
In the first round of matches played yesterday, Eastern Region champions Triangle FC dismissed Central Region League winners Kwekwe United 5-4 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw during regulation time.
During the match, Elton Njini put Kwekwe United on the driving seat with an early goal.
Triangle’s Roland Makiwa however spoilt the fun for The Blues, as Kwekwe United is affectionately known by its fans, with an equaliser late into the second half, ending the game in a draw and straight to penalties.
A vital miss by Tirimboyi Cheremani on Kwekwe United’s second penalty kick, which hit the top post, cost the Midlands side a spot in the finals.
Triangle United successfully converted all their penalty kicks.
In a similar fashion, Southern Region Division 1 League Champions ZPC Hwange stormed into today’s finals after beating Northern Region Champions, Scottland FC 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw during regulation time, on the second match of the day.
An early penalty miss by ZPC Hwange’s Obert Malajila during regulation time saw the Northern Region Champions, Scotland FC quickly respond with a goal just a few minutes after, and leading much of the game.
However, not tiring, ZPC Hwange displayed a spirited performance against the Northerners which finally paid off through a set-piece equaliser headed in by Ajian Banda, about 15 minutes before full time.
Under pressure, Scotland’s efforts to regain their lead in the dying minutes of the match failed, ending the game 1-1, and into penalties to separate the two sides.
A second penalty miss by Mclive Phiri, and fifth spot kick miss by Leeroy Mavhunga, both saved by ZPC Hwange FC goalie, saw Scottland FC being relegated into the third and fourth playoffs, also on today before the finals.
ZPC Hwange only missed their third spot kick which was saved by Scottland FC goalie, Bheki Ncube.
Both teams however squandered several goal scoring chances during regulation time.
Speaking after yesterday’s victory, ZPC Hwange Head Coach, Mebelo Njekwa, said he was pleased with his boys’ performance, who played like champions despite a few mishaps in the match.
“I am very pleased, we have come a long way, from Hwange we came here to grab something and indeed we have done it, we are through to the finals.
“The boys played very well even though we missed a penalty. It did not bring their morale down, we were scored again but we never went down in our morale as well until we picked up our game and we played as champions,” Coach Njekwa said.
Going into the finals against Triangle FC, he said his boys need to utilise chances they create in front of goal, and will bank on their endurance against the Sugar Sugar Boys’ heavy squared.
“Looking at Triangle, compared to our team in terms of weight, they have a big weight but in terms of endurance they are not there… I hope and trust that if we start well and not miss these chances which we missed today (yesterday) in the first half, definitely we are going to be champions,” Njekwa said
All four teams gained promotion into Zimbabwe’s premier league, the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, after winning their respective division leagues in the 2024 season.
