Ngezi Platinum Stars edged closer to clinching their second silverware since their promotion in the topflight league five years ago after beating Cranborne Bullets 1-0 in a Chibuku Super Cup semi-final match played at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.
Inform forward Bruno Mtigo netted his seventh goal in the second half before Ngezi held on to reach a second consecutive final appearance in the country’s premier knockout competition.
Mtigo extended his lead in the race for the Golden Boot to two goals making the most of a brilliant pass by his nearest rival on the goal charts Denver Mukamba two minutes into the second half.
Ngezi, who won the same competition in their debut season in 2016 before losing in the final to Highlanders in 2019, will now await the winner of the second semifinal between FC Platinum and Dynamos to be played at the same venue today.
Ngezi were however made to work hard for their win as Cranborne Bullets who are in their debut season in the topflight league fought hard for the equaliser in the second half.
Infact Cranborne will feel hard done by referee Martin Chivandire who waved away a seemingly genuine penalty shout late in the game as Ngezi held on for a hard-fought win.
Ngezi coach Rodwell Dhlakama was pleased after guiding Ngezi Platinum to yet another Chibuku Cup final on the trot.
“Going into the final for a second year running it’s important for me, it’s important for the team, it is also important for the fans and for the management. It was a difficult game I want to be honest, cup games are always difficult,” he said in the post-match interview.
Ngezi Platinum Stars will play the winner between Dynamos and FC Platinum in the final scheduled for December 4.