Kwekwe United Football Club booked their place in the fourth round of the ZIFA Division One Munhumutapa Challenge Cup after defeating visiting Derpotivo LA Murambinda 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw at Baghdad Stadium on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Tafadzwa Javangwe emerged as Kwekwe United’s hero, producing two crucial saves in the penalty shootout to deny Kudzai Taipa and Munashe Junior Chale.
Patson Jaure, Trudah Mujawo, Johannes Sibanda and Babadi Sipamba converted their spot-kicks for Kwekwe United, while Munashe Munowaya and Takunda Ngirazi scored Derpotivo’s only successful penalties.
Speaking after the match, Kwekwe United head coach Tendai Chikuni acknowledged that the visitors had enjoyed greater control for long periods of the game.
“We played against a team which is second on the log. That shows it is a good team. In terms of area dominance, they were better than us. In the first half we played second on the ball. We tried to change the system in the second half and I think it worked. We kept on attacking, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” said Chikuni.
He added that some of the club’s recent signings were unavailable because they had already featured for their former clubs in the competition.
“We have signed new players, but they could not play this game because they had already played in this competition for their previous clubs. We hope they will be available for the next game,” he said.
Derpotivo LA Murambinda head coach Lovemore Dzoro praised his players’ performance, saying they had matched and, in his view, outplayed the hosts.
“The guys played well. They really played well and we outclassed them,” said Dzoro.
Commenting on the officiating, Dzoro expressed concern over the refereeing without citing any specific incidents.
“We are not referees, but at times they need to be neutral and look at both sides. Otherwise, the game was okay,” he said.
The victory sends Kwekwe United into the fourth round of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup after surviving a closely contested encounter that was ultimately decided from the penalty spot.
