Dream Inn-GMI Super 8 serves up giant killings in Central Region

The ZIFA Central Region Soccer League’s title heavyweights were sent packing over the weekend as the Dream Inn-GMI Super 8 Challenge Cup served up a weekend of giant-killings.

In a stunning turn of events at four venues across the region, four of the top five teams in the Central Region Soccer League table were all eliminated, throwing the race for the cup title wide open and unpredictable.

Log leaders Blanket Mine FC were the biggest casualty. The Barbers were held 1-1 by Grain Tigers FC at Sabiwa Stadium on Sunday before losing 12-11 on penalties in a marathon shootout.

Second-placed Kwekwe United FC fared even worse as they were dumped out 2-0 by Super Strikers FC at Baghdad Stadium on Sunday, failing to find the net on home soil.

On Saturday, third-placed Chapungu FC also bowed out at Ascot Stadium, going down 2-1 to Tongogara FC. Fifth-placed Gwanda Pirates joined them on the exit door after a 1-1 draw with West Nicholson FC at Phelandaba Stadium, with the hosts edging a 11-10 penalty shootout thriller.

Dream Inn-GMI Super 8 Challenge Cup after quarter-finals. Picture by CRSL

UNEXPECTED TEAMS FACING OFF IN THE SEMI-FINALS

The results mean only West Nicholson FC is the only top five team remaining in the latter stages of the Super 8. For the big guns, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. With the Castle Lager PSL promotion push heating up, the cup exits will be seen as a missed chance for silverware and momentum.

West Nicholson, Tongogara, Super Strikers and Grain Tigers now march on to the semi-finals, with belief that this could be their year to snatch both cup glory.

The Dream Inn-GMI Super 8 Challenge Cup continues to prove that in knockout football, league position counts for nothing. Grain Tigers face FC Tongogara while Gwanda duo Super Strikers and West Nicholson face-off in the semi-finals.

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