FC Platinum march on as Blanket Mine stun TelOne FC in Munhumutapa Challenge Cup

FC Platinum laboured past Marere FC, while Blanket Mine FC needed penalties to beat PSL strugglers TelOne FC in Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 32 matches played at Chahwanda Stadium and Ascot Stadium respectively.

Bruno Mtigo scored for TelOne and Matthew Hlabati replied for Blanket Mine in regulation time. The tie went to penalties, with Blanket Mine winning 4-3. For FC Platinum, Trevor Bhunu was the hero after scoring late in the second half.

At Ascot Stadium, Jerry Chipangura had the best chance inside the opening 20 minutes. Picked out unmarked in the box, he opted to weave past defenders instead of shooting first time and his eventual effort was blocked.

TelOne kept knocking, with Bruno Mtigo and Chelsea Nyakope pulling the strings from midfield. Deservedly, they broke the deadlock in the 28th minute.

Mtigo’s powerful strike from close range hit the roof of the net. He was set up by a move orchestrated by Nyakope and Nqobizitha Masuku before beating Blanket Mine goalkeeper Norbert Matiya.

Blanket Mine felt hard done by when Ishmael Mack missed a sitter on the stroke of half-time. They returned with intent after the break and levelled in the 51st minute. Hlabati headed home from close range after a well-worked cross from Mack.

TelOne almost restored their lead instantly on the counter, but Chipangura spurned another one-on-one chance in the 53rd minute. The match went to penalties, where veterans Silas Songani and Nqobizitha Masuku missed their spot-kicks for TelOne FC.

FC PLATINUM LABOUR PAST MARERE FC

FC Platinum pose for a picture at Baobab Stadium. Picture by FC Platinum/Facebook

Meanwhile at Chahwanda Stadium, FC Platinum thought they would have it easy, but Marere FC gave them a hard time in the first half, restricting the visitors to just one chance.

The Sanyati-based side kept the four-time PSL champions at bay until half-time. Even after the restart, chances were scarce.

FC Platinum had to labour until the 81st minute when Bhunu broke the deadlock after Marere’s defenders were caught napping. That was all the Zvishavane side needed to march into the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup Round of 16.

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