Hwange

Wankie edged visiting airforce team, Blue Swallows in a lukewarm BP League Cup quarter-final first leg soccer encounter at the Colliery Stadium yesterday. But the hosts should have done better.

They had their sloppy and ultra defensive opponents at their mercy for the better part of the game, but chose to let them off the hook with their mediocre shooting in front of goal.

However, in the 28th minute new-boy Zenzo Ndebele, a bundle of energy in Wankie's rear-guard, made a dazzling run down the right flank from where he swung over a cross that was powered home by Walter Tshuma, who took his goal tally to 13 this season.

Tshuma was not finished and came back to create a goal in the 67th minute. He skilfully beat three defenders on the left flank and unselfishly picked out an unmarked Joseph Mwanza on the blind side. Mwanza obliged with a spectacular scissors kick that eluded Swallows' goalkeeper, Freddy Mwaruta.

Wankie enjoyed the greater territorial advantage over their opponents and launched wave after wave of attacks only to be let down by poor finishing.

The Coal miners were let to rue their numerous missed chances when they allowed the airmen to pull one back through Jonathan Chigwinya four minutes from time.

Edmore Zimuto put the airmen in the lead in the 16th minute after beating Emmanuel Nyahuma in goals for Aces all systems out.

After the break, Aces, who came back a more determined side, mounted pressure and were rewarded in the 54th minute after Patrick Daka beat goalkeeper Innocent Chogugudza.

Chapungu took the lead for the second time in the 56th minute through double scorer Cain Muteji who hit the ball into the far corner.

Muteji beat Nyahuma for the second time in the 78th minute after exchanging good passes with his twin brother Abel who came on for Clemence Zuze in the second half.

Bulawayo referee Kenny Sigoba flashed only a single yellow card to Chapungu defender Shingi Chakona for rough play.

Highlanders' hopes of progressing to the next stage of the BP League Cup soccer tournament faded at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday when they crashed to a bitter defeat at the hands of Dynamos in the first leg of the quarter-finals.

The home team were left to curse themselves for losing a game they dominated only to be let down by a depleted strike-force.

Highlanders even had to field coach Madinda Ndlovu and Amin Soma-Phiri in the starting line-up for the injured Kelvin Kaindu and Gift Lunga (Sr.), but it did not work. Although Ndlovu showed some flashes of his old brilliance, he could not blend in with his youthful team-mates. Amin Soma-Phiri was outplayed by his brother in the opposite camp, Makwinji, in midfield.

And goalkeeper Johannes Tshuma would quickly want to forget yesterday's match as he should shoulder the blame for both Dynamos' second half goals scored by substitute Tonderayi Mutambikwa and Tauya Murehwa.

Tshuma failed to cut out Hope Chihota's cross which was latched on to by an alert Mutambikwa who came on for Masimba Dinyero at the start of the second half, but had to be pulled out later after sustaining an injury.

But the usually reliable Highlanders' goalminder's worst blunder came four minutes from full time when he rushed off his line to cut out Bheki Mlotshwa's high pass to Murehwa on the edge of the penalty area.

Murehwa was first to it and all he did was nod over the drawn out Tshuma who could only watch as the ball arched lazily into the net, prompting a number of Highlanders fans to leave the stadium. After the game, Highlanders manager Ernest Sibanda laid the blame squarely on the goalkeeper.

However, blaming the keeper only would be unfair as Highlanders were limited by their own indiscretions in front of goal. And referee Joseph Mususa did not help the situation either, denying the home team a clear penalty in the 14th minute when Makwinji Soma-Phiri brought down his brother in the penalty box.

Man-of-the match and Highlanders' captain Lovemore Ncube was a constant menace to goalkeeper Peter Fanwell with his ferocious drives. He nearly put his side ahead in the 38th minute with a murderous shot struck from a free kick outside the box which just missed the left upright with Fanwell stranded at the other end of goal.

But Highlanders' best chance came in the 78th minute when Ncube made a solo run on the left and pumped a well angled shot which was blocked by Fanwell into the path of Noel Cele who shot over the bar.

Tshuma's day had started well when he made two good saves. First he denied Mlotshwa in a face-to-face situation in the 24th minute before diving full length to parry Chihota's shot for a corner five minutes later.

Young Gift Lunga seemed to know that it is at such grand occasions that players create names for themselves with intelligent, composed play.

The match was marred by Highlanders supporters throwing missiles from the swimming pool side.

Highlanders : J. Tshuma, J. Mulenga, L. Ncube, B. Ndlovu, D. Kapenya, A. Phiri, G. Lunga (Jr), A. Soma-Phiri, M. Ndlovu, L. Kutinyu. Substitutes : A. Tshuma (for M. Ndlovu, 63rd minute); N. Cele (for Kutinyu, 60th minute); M. Ndebele (for Soma-Phiri, 78^th minute).

Dynamos : P. Fanwell, E. Masango, H. Chihota, W. Muhoni, K. Tembo, M. Soma-Phiri, B. Mlotshwa, L. Mutasa, T. Murehwa, M. Dinyero, C. Pasuwa. Substitutes : C. Musanhu (for Masango 46th minute); T. Mutambikwa (for Dinyero 46th minute); P. Matare (for Mutambikwa 69th minute).

A ticket scam, in which the National Premier Soccer League are feared to have lost thousands of dollars, was uncovered in Bulawayo on Sunday leading to the arrest of a cashier at Barbourfields Stadium.

Chris Sibanda, the NPSL secretary, yesterday said one of the cashiers on Sunday stole a ticket book with tickets worth $2 000 and sold them to fans for the BP League Cup quarter-finals between Dynamos and Highlanders. And this is believed to be the tip of the iceberg in the racket which has been going on unnoticed for a long time.

A police spokesman yesterday confirmed that the cashier, employed by a local commercial bank, was arrested at the stadium on Sunday and will appear in court tomorrow.

The cashier is alleged to have stolen the ticket book from one of hiss compatriots, sold all the tickets and pocketed the money. Sibanda said he was notified by one of the NPSL staffers who had allegedly seen the cashier stealing.

"I ordered the police to lock him up and it is very unfortunate that the people who are stealing from us are the ones we trusted most," said Sibanda, who explained that bank employees were hired to sell tickets because they were considered faithful as they dealt with cash everyday.

This year's BP League cup soccer tournament is heading for an epic final between traditional rivals Dynamos and CAPS United.

Both sides came away from their quarter-finals on Sunday against Bulawayo sides Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints with solid victories and as they are drawn apart in the semi-finals they might meet in the final on September 28.

On Sunday, defending champions CAPS beat Saints 3-1 at Rufaro Stadium and if they hold on in the return leg in Bulawayo this weekend they will face the winners of the other quarter-final tie between Wankie and Blue Swallows in the semi-finals.

Dynamos, on the other hand, outplayed fading Bulawayo giants Highlanders who they beat 2-0 at Barbourfields Stadium and are favourites to go through to the semi-finals where they will take on the winners of the other quarter-final match between Chapungu and Black Aces.

Although Dynamos are almost assured of a place in the last four, CAPS are well advised not to rest on their laurels in their second leg tie against Saints at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

After taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the match which was admirably handled by referee Felix Tangawarima, CAPS allowed Saints to score an away goal which might prove costly as the Bulawayo side need to win by two clear goals to progress.

Cynics might say that the Saints participation is all but over but the youthful Bulawayo side are capable of rising from the dead, especially at their favourite hunting ground, Barbourfields Stadium.

Saints though will have to plug the holes in their defence which allowed CAPS to score three free headers on Sunday through Alois "Zola" Bunjira, William "Widzo" Chari and Blessing "Yogo Yogo" Makunike.

Black Aces who went down 1-3 to Chapungu at Ascot Stadium on Sunday, are also still in the running.

Like Saints, Aces need to beat Chapungu by two clear goals in the return leg at Gwanzura on Saturday to overturn the deficit and book a berth in the semi-finals and their assistant coach, Brenna "Campos" Msiska, was optimistic they would do it.

"All is not yet lost. We still have 90 more minutes to play against Chapungu and I'm optimistic that we will turn the tables against them," said Msiska, who blamed Bulawayo referee Kenny Sigoba for his side's defeat on Sunday.

Aces were stung by three goals from Chapungu's two-goal hero Cain Muteji and the unheralded Edmore Zimuto. Patrick Daka replied for the Highfield-based side.

Swallows have a slightly easier task at home at Rudhaka Stadium on Sunday in their second leg tie against Wankie who edged them 2-1 at the colliery.

The biggest losers were former league champions Highlanders who fell to two second-half goals by Tonderayi Mutambikwa and man-of-the-moment Tauya "Flying Doctor" Murehwa in their own backyard, leaving them with a tall order in the second leg on Sunday at the National Sports Stadium where Dynamos are almost invincible.

Mashonaland West edged closer to the final of the Best of Africa Cup Under-17 soccer tournament with an important 3-0 away win over Manicaland in a first leg, semi-final tie at Sakubva Stadium at the weekend.

Mashonaland West, who sailed through without kicking a ball after Harare failed to show up in the quarter-finals, completed a double over their Mutare adversaries having beaten them in the same cup last year.

Goals by double-scorer Hilton Tembo, who struck either side of half-time, and another by Lloyd Mlanga did the damage for Mashonaland West.

In another semi-final at Wankie Colliery ground, 1996 runners-up Matabeleland North made full use of home advantage to register an emphatic 3-0 victory at the expense of Midlands.

A second-minute strike by Kenny Tazvivinga from the spot after chief striker Ray Sibanda was brought down in the box and two second-half goals by Sibanda and Richard Nyathi handed Midlands their first defeat in this year's tournament.

Prior to Saturday's match Midlands were unbeaten and dismissed Matabeleland South 7-1 in the First round.

Matabeleland North now look poised for their second cup final in as many years.

The semi-final second leg ties are set for this weekend.