Chibuku Super Cup drama as Scottland win 3-1, giants advance

Scottland began the Chibuku Super Cup knockout stage with a 3-1 victory over FC Platinum, while Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United also secured places in the quarter-finals. The opening rounds featured 19 goals, two penalty shootouts and several results that favoured less-fancied teams.

Scottland, the reigning champions, set the strongest scoring pace against FC Platinum. Moses Shidolo put them ahead in the eighth minute, Mthokozisi Msebe added a second before half-time and Khama Billiat made it 3-0 seven minutes after the restart. Mason Mushore reduced the deficit three minutes later, but FC Platinum could not force a comeback.

Dynamos scored four times in a 4-1 win over TelOne, the biggest victory of the round. Zibusiso Ruguchu’s own goal opened the scoring before Nathan Mutasa and Isaac Loundu extended the lead. Frank Ageymang finished the match with goals in the 90th minute and stoppage time. CAPS United, meanwhile, defeated Simba Bhora 3-2, with Lloyd Njaliva, Talent Chamboko and Tinotenda Meke scoring for the winners. Petrus Junior Samaneka struck twice for Simba Bhora and leads the tournament’s scoring chart with two goals.

Highlanders needed penalties to overcome Chicken Inn after their tie ended 0-0. Bosso won the shootout 3-1 to keep their pursuit of silverware alive. Hardrock also advanced, beating Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 through Tinotenda Muringani’s 60th-minute penalty.

The round produced two notable upsets. FC Hunters eliminated Herentals College 1-0 after Michael Tapera scored in the 55th minute, while ZPC Kariba defeated Ngezi Platinum Stars by the same score, with Munashe Kamwendo finding the decisive goal in the 38th minute. MWOS completed the quarter-final field with a 2-0 win against Agama, scored by Arthur Banda and Nigel Makumbe.

Agama had earlier eliminated Manica Diamonds 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw, and TelOne beat Triangle United 5-3 in another shootout after a 0-0 match. The quarter-finalists are Scottland, CAPS United, ZPC Kariba, MWOS, Dynamos, Hardrock, FC Hunters and Highlanders, combining four Premier Soccer League heavyweights with four ambitious challengers.