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Stars over the moon as they lift Independence Trophy
By
Mutongi Gava and Nkanyiso Moyo
Shooting Stars…......1
Highlanders…….......0
SHOOTING Stars were over the moon on Friday night after a hard-fought victory over Highlanders earned them their first ever Independence Trophy in a poorly lit Gwanzura Stadium.
At White City Stadium in Bulawayo, Dynamos overcame Masvingo United 1-0 in the third and fourth play-off.
Elvis Meleka struck the all important first half goal, which earned Stars their first silverware in the top division.
For the second time in four days, Stars defied all odds to beat Zimbabwe’s representatives in the Champions League and the Confederations Cup, having blasted Dynamos 3-0 in the semi-final on Tuesday.
The match was delayed for 30 minutes as the stadium was cleared following displays by the army and police during the Independence Day commemorations attended by President Robert Mugabe.
Having started late, the game was stopped three minutes before the end due to light problems.
“It’s ridiculous to be playing in semi-darkness and I must congratulate the referee for ending the match prematurely. I must congratulate Shooting Stars for winning the Independence Trophy,” Highlanders coach Methembe Ndlovu said.
Highlanders were without several of their top stars, rested ahead of Sunday’s league clash with Lancashire Steel at Baghdad.
Wonder Peperere was in goal, and out went Washington Arubi, Gilbert Banda, Cuthberth Malajila, Stephen Alimenda and Jacob Muzokomba.
Stars walked away with a $400 billion winners’ cheque while Bosso received $300 billion.
National team coach Valinhos watched the match and said he was impressed by Meleka and Stars winger Wonder Kupera. Both players featured for Harare United in Division One last year.
Stars dominated the opening exchanges, and Elliot Matsika began the examination on 10 mintes with a speculative shot which went straight to Peperere.
They took the lead on 22 minutes, Meleka mopping up a loose ball on the edge of Peperere’s goal and calmly planting the ball in the Highlanders net.
Highlanders responded, and almost drew level four minutes after the half hour as Milton Ncube’s 40m drive was tipped over the bar by impressive Phillip Nhete in goal for the Joel Sengeredo-owned side.
Man-of-the-match Kupera seized his moment to impress the watching Valinhos on 40 minutes, turning veteran Mkhuphali Masuku inside out only to watch his rasping shot spectacularly turned away by Peperere.
But the game deteriorated in the second half, the Stadium becoming dark in areas, and more here were darker and light areas. Referee Tendai Bwanya ended the game three minutes before the end.
Patson Ndabambi, the Stars coach who is the youngest in the league at 31, said teamwork had earned them the Trophy.
“Ours is totally teamwork and the boys are playing according to instructions and I am happy that we have won the match,” he said.
In Bulawayo, Masvingo missed a penalty in the 25th minute as Richard Million skied his effort.
Danisa Phiri created the only goal in the third minute converted by Afia Makwinja.
Isaac Banda hit the post two minutes before half time.
TEAMS
Highlanders: W Peperere, K Goddard, A Ndlovu, J Ngodzo, Z Ngodzo,
M Masuku, M Machazani (A Mubaiwa), P Makuvise, N Mpala(D Zimbago,
J Muzokomba , I Tinarwo(P Kabwe)
Shooting: P Nhete, P Tafirenyika, E Matsika (E Amisi), G Zhuwakinyu, Maxwell Karimanzira, E Meleka, T Magorimbo, M Ncube, T Masuku, W Kupera
Referee:Tendai Bwanya
CBZ Premier Soccer League Table (19 April 2008)
TEAM
|
Played |
Won |
Drew |
Lost |
G/F |
G/A |
Points |
|
| 1 | Kiglon | 3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
9 |
| 2 | Lengthens | 3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
| 3 | Gunners | 3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
| 4 | Motor Action | 3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
| 5 | Shooting Stars | 3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
| 6 | Highlanders | 3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
| 7 | Chapungu | 3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
| 8 | Dynamos | 3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
| 9 | CAPS FC | 3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
| 10 | CAPS United | 3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
| 11 | Eastern Lions | 3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
| 3 | Njube Sundowns | 3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
| 13 | Masvingo United | 3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
| 14 | Monomotapa | 3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
| 15 | Underhill | 3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
| 16 | Lancashire Steel | 3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
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