By Onny Gangata at Bata stadium
NGEZI Platinum Stars edged closer to a league and cup double as they powered their way into the Chibuku Super Cup final with an impressive 3-0 win over army side Black Rhinos.
The Takesure Chiragwi coached side gave an assuring performance to book a place in the final that will be played at their Baobab stadium on December 3.
They will play the winner of the other semi-final pitting Harare giants Dynamos and Caps United. The two teams clash at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
After enduring a frustrating opening half of the match in which they failed to break the soldiers’ resolve, Madumburo found their way five minutes after the break.
Malvin Gaki broke the deadlock with a rasping grass cutter before Malvern Kwinjo’s sublime strike made it two on the 63rd minute.
Claude Mapoka completed the rout minutes before the final whistle confirming Chiragwi’s first cup final as a coach.
But it was the ruthless manner in which Madamburo dispatched the army side that reminded all why Ngezi Platinum are eight points clear at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log standings.
“It’s a very good feeling for me as a coach, I have been in many finals before as player and returning as a coach it is important to do something that people realize you have contributed to football,” an elated Chiragwi said.
“I am happy, this is my first final as a coach, which is very important, it gives motivation and energy to keep going forward.”
Having already booked a place in the final and five matches away from winning the league title, the talk of a league and cup double for Ngezi Platinum is no longer avoidable.
“If that happens, I will be happy because we are playing a competition and the most important thing is to improve the team, which is more important to us and the easier it becomes for the boys to win matches. The strikers will win us matches while the defence wins us titles,” he added.
Black Rhinos coach Saul Chaminuka whose side had pinned hopes of ending what has been a tumultuous season on a high with silverware in the cup competition, admitted they had been outwitted.
“We came here full of hope,we had this dream that we would go all the way and represent Zimbabwe in Africa, unfortunately we were defeated today, credit to Ngezi they concluded their task convincingly,” he said.
