By Delicious Mathuthu
In a thrilling finale at Bata Stadium on Sunday, ZPC Hwange emerged victorious in the inaugural Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Champion of Champions Cup, defeating Triangle FC 2-1.
The Southern Region champions, ZPC Hwange, who have tasted defeat only once since their 2024 Premier Soccer League (PSL) promotion campaign, dominated the match from the onset, with John Chinyerere scoring the opening goal just two minutes into the game.
Triangle FC promptly responded with a penalty kick converted by Menford Mudzimu, leveling the score.
However, ZPC Hwange were not done as they regained the lead in the 20th minute through a Dingani Maphosa goal, a lead they held on to, till the final whistle.
ZPC Hwange Coach, Mabelo Njekwa, attributed his team’s triumph to superior fitness, endurance and team work.
“A job well done by the boys. Fitness levels, endurance and team work is what made us win these two games.
“We played as a team from the onset and our target was to score two goals in 30 minutes and that is what we did,” Njekwa said.
Triangle’s coach, Luke Masomere, acknowledged that his team’s inability to convert scoring opportunities ultimately cost them the championship.
The tournament brought together champions from the four ZIFA Division One leagues; the North, South, Central and Eastern regions, with ZPC Hwange and Triangle emerging as the top two teams.
Kwekwe United secured third place after defeating Scottland 3-1 in the third-place playoffs.
Scottland FC, with the most expensive team of the four, opened the scoring in the 5th minute but failed to maintain their lead.
Their goalie was twice caught off the line in the first half and Scottland FC was punished for it by Kwekwe United.
The equaliser for the Central Region champions came in the 22nd minute, and took the lead in the 31st minute.
The final goal of the match came five minutes later, in the 36th minute, damning Scottland FC to the last position in the tournament.
Luke Masomere Triangle FC
ZPC Hwange Coach Mabelo Njekwa
