Football history made in Gokwe

By Langton Nyakwenda, The Herald - FC Platinum claimed their third Uhuru Cup after defeating Simba Bhora through a penalty shootout at Nembudziya Growth Point in Gokwe yesterday.

Yesterday, history was made in Gokwe as the district hosted its first-ever top-flight match, as part of Government's devolution programme.

A patient and yet solid crowd waited until 5.30 pm when the match finally began.

Although the match was curtailed due to the waterlogged field and insufficient lights, Gokwe fans still had a rare chance to watch Premier Soccer League giants like 2022 Soccer Star of the Year second runner-up Donald Mudadi, Jarrison Selemani, Mbongeni Ndlovu, and Never Tigere live.

The match finished 0-0 and went straight into a penalty shootout that FC Platinum won 3-0.

Misheck Ngwenya, Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, and Thubelihle Jubane scored the conversions, the first three Simba Bhora recipients all left blank.

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza indicated that this day was not to win but to celebrate Independence.

"Good to have been here," opined Mapeza. "Good for the people of Gokwe, gives inspiration to young boys who watched us playing. We were here to play," responded Mapeza.

Added Mapeza: "Zimbabwe has turned 45 and that was the biggest thing."

This year's Independence Cup included women's football being featured for the first time in history.

Herentals Queens beat Black Rhinos on Thursday.

Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Art and Culture Emily Jesaya said it was Government's intention to recognize the girl child.

As far as the development of sports infrastructure is concerned, this year's Independence holidays put that behind us. We now have a good football pitch at Nembudziya, something that cannot be taken away from us," Jesaya said.

At Bulawayo, Chicken Inn took the Bulawayo Province Independence Cup after they defeated Highlanders 1-0 in a fiercely contested match yesterday.

The breakthrough came courtesy of a moment of inspiration from goalkeeper Aron Ngwenya, whose precise long ball split the Highlanders defence and into the path of Kumbirai Mutenha. The striker did not make it easy for himself, though, merely slotting the ball home to put Chicken Inn in front by the narrow margin they held until the final whistle. 

Both teams took advantage of the game to shift their squads around, giving fringe players a stage to impress on in the high-pressure match.

While Highlanders posed the threat of an equaliser in the second stanza, Chicken Inn's resolute defending and organised football saw them babysit the game to its completion.

Chicken Inn head coach Joey Antipas had praise, effusive after the win.

"I saw some players who put their hands up to show that they are prepared to play first team football. I was hugely impressed by how the boys played," stated Antipas.

Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu was not happy about conceding a goal which he felt was avoidable.

"It was a good game. But Chicken Inn never threatened us with their attack. We again scored a weak goal which we could have avoided. Once more, I will say that this is something which we need to work on very hard," said Kaindu.

The result has Chicken Inn claiming local bragging rights.

Ngezi Platinum crushed Mwos 3-0 at the Mashonaland West 45th Independence celebrations at Uhuru Nakazi in Chegutu elsewhere.

Chegutu netball team beat Gadzema to claim the cup in the netball division.