Hardrock FC have been knocked out of the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup after suffering a 6-5 defeat on penalties to Herentals following a 1-1 draw in regulation time at Chahwanda Stadium on Sunday.
The result ended Hardrock’s hopes of progressing to the semi-finals, with Herentals keeping their composure from the spot to secure a place in the last four.
Hardrock started brightly but found themselves trailing in the 11th minute when Ralph Kawondera put the Students ahead. The hosts responded before the break, with Washington Navaya restoring parity in the 36th minute.
Neither side could find a winning goal in the second half, forcing the tie into a penalty shootout where Herentals ultimately prevailed.
Hardrock head coach Kelvin Kaindu admitted the defeat was painful, believing his side had enough opportunities to settle the contest before the shootout.
“The results are very painful. This is a trophy that allows you to play in the concentration. We could have wrapped up the game in the first half. We had chances where we could have scored,” said Kaindu.
“And also we gave away an easy goal. We lost possession and they capitalised on that. But again, when it comes to penalties, it is anybody’s game. And they managed to be the winners today.”
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Herentals coach Paul Benza, meanwhile, revealed that his side had deliberately prepared for the possibility of taking the match to penalties, having identified Hardrock as a dangerous opponent.
“We knew that we were coming against a very good side with very good players and a very good coach. And coming away we knew that we were coming against a very big challenge. So we came prepared,” said Benza.
“For us, getting a draw in the regulation time was going to be enough and then taking the game to the penalties because we had lost our moment away against a hard draw. So we didn't want to underwrite that team.”
Benza said Herentals were aware of the attacking threat posed by Hardrock and had planned accordingly.
“We knew that we were going to come against very good forwards that were going to come at us. But at the end of the day it paid, though we conceded. I thought that we were not supposed to conflict and keep that clean sheet and take the game in the 90 minutes. But Jambert has the big result at the end.”
Herentals’ victory sees them join FC Platinum, Hunters and Scottland in the semi-finals, although Scottland’s place remains uncertain pending disciplinary proceedings over the alleged use of an ineligible player.
FC Platinum booked their place in the last four with a convincing 3-0 victory over Blanket Mine FC at Luveve Stadium. Junior Selemani opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Emmanuel Dogbey struck twice in the second half to complete the win.
At Rufaro Stadium, Scottland were held to a goalless draw by Bulawayo Chiefs before winning 5-4 on penalties.
However, Scottland’s progression is under a cloud following a charge by the Premier Soccer League over the alleged fielding of Witbeen Stoffel in their Chibuku Super Cup Round of 16 match against FC Platinum on 14 August.
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