IN the end, it was a befitting finale to a riveting Northern Region Soccer League season.
The best teams in the competition – Golden Eagles and Simba Bhora — put the icing on the cake in an epic encounter during the Axis Solutions Super 8 Cup final at the ceremonial home of football — Rufaro Stadium — yesterday.
Golden Eagles finally got the better of rivals Simba Bhora to clinch the cup.
Central defender Ray Uchena headed home a corner in the 75th minute before Aaron Zeka sealed the deal in the dying minutes of the lively encounter.
Zeka capitalised on a loss of concentration by Simba Bhora defenders before racing clear to slot the ball past Simba Chinani.
That was enough to deny Simba Bhora what would have been a historic league and cup double.
Simba Bhora are the champions of the Northern Region Soccer League, while Golden Eagles finished third behind Herentals U-20.
But yesterday, it was Golden Eagles’ turn to celebrate a famous victory that saw them lift the league’s knockout tournament.
Their right-back, Talent Chibuwe, stole the show with a brilliant performance.
In an emotional move, the late Barnabus Mushunje was posthumously named the Player of the Tournament after his stellar performance for Simba Bhora in the quarter-final and semi-final.
Tinashe Balakasi collected the award on behalf of the late midfielder.
That was before a minute of silence was observed in the late player’s honour.
Balakasi, who was guilty of missing a clear-cut chance soon after the restart, shared the Golden Boot award with Uchena ,who scored his second goal of the tournament yesterday.
It was all joy for Golden Eagles coach Gilbert Mushangazhike, his club directors Barry Manandi and Mike Madoda, and their colourful band of supporters, as their players received their medals from Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Dr Jenfan Muswere.
Former Zimbabwe international Mushangazhike, who was also named Coach of the Tournament, was happy for his charges.
“It was a great game. First half, we created chances and we kept playing our game,’’ he said.
His counterpart Arthur Tutani was devastated. “It was a bad day in office,” he said. “The good thing though is we were knocking the ball around.
“That chance we missed in the second half killed the momentum.”
Soon after the restart, Balakasi placed his effort wide, with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Phineas Chigulupate’s 40-metre drive was also parried away by seasoned goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya.
Simba Bhora were missing Ronald Chitiyo’s artistry, with the midfielder sitting out the match because of an injury.
In a domestic football season that has been blighted by some questionable officiating, referee Milton Mupfumbati put up a good show in front of an appreciative crowd.
Musicians Sulumani Chimbetu and Baba Harare also entertained the crowd before and after the match.
It was indeed a carnival atmosphere, with the Northern Region Soccer League underlining its pulling power, as a number of high-profile football personalities, including legendary coaches Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa and Moses Chunga, watched the match.
Former Warriors manager Sharif Mussa; ex-ZIFA technical director Nelson Matongorere; current technical director Wilson Mutekede; Allan Johnson, who played for Motor Action; Beki Nyoni; Rosemary Mugadza; Twine Phiri; Musa Beadle Gwasira and Francis Zimunya were also in attendance.
Former Dynamos chairperson Simon Makaza, ex-Zimbabwe internationals Alois Bunjira and Edward Sadomba were also among the decent crowd that watched a cup final return to Rufaro Stadium in more than five years.
It was indeed a carnival atmosphere, with the Northern Region Soccer League underlining its pulling power, as a number of high-profile football personalities, including legendary coaches Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa and Moses Chunga, watched the match.
Former Warriors manager Sharif Mussa; ex-ZIFA technical director Nelson Matongorere; current technical director Wilson Mutekede; Allan Johnson, who played for Motor Action; Beki Nyoni; Rosemary Mugadza; Twine Phiri; Musa Beadle Gwasira and Francis Zimunya were also in attendance.
Former Dynamos chairperson Simon Makaza, ex-Zimbabwe internationals Alois Bunjira and Edward Sadomba were also among the decent crowd that watched a cup final return to Rufaro Stadium in more than five years.
