TelOne and Chegutu Pirates steal the show in Chibu...

TelOne and Chegutu Pirates steal the show in Chibuku thriller

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

In a pulsating encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats, TelOne and Chegutu Pirates emerged victorious in the preliminary round of the Chibuku Super Cup, securing their spots in the first round after dramatic penalty shootouts.

TelOne, the Wi-Fi Boys, weathered a storm from Arenel Movers before prevailing in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Criss Mverechena stole the limelight, saving two crucial spot-kicks to send his team through. The victory sets up a mouthwatering clash with league giants FC Platinum in the next round.

TelOne coach Herbert Maruwa was understandably delighted with the outcome, but emphasized the team’s primary focus remains on avoiding relegation in the league. “It was a closely fought match, and we knew penalties were a possibility,” he said. “We prepared meticulously for this scenario, and I’m proud of how the players executed under pressure.”

Meanwhile, Chegutu Pirates defied the odds to overcome a resilient Hwange side. The match ended in a 1-1 stalemate, forcing a penalty shootout. The Pirates held their nerve to secure a spot in the first round where they will face Manica Diamonds.

Coach Day Gutu hailed the victory as a much-needed boost for his team, who have struggled in the league. “This win is a huge confidence-builder,” he said. “We showed great character to come back from behind and then prevail in the shootout.”

Both matches were characterized by end-to-end action, with both teams creating numerous scoring opportunities. However, solid goalkeeping and resolute defending kept the scores level until the final whistle