Eagles fly into semis

Golden Eagles ......................................(0) 2 Ngezi Platinum ....................................(1)1 SUBSTITUTE Trevor Bhunu and captain Henry Manatsa scored in quick succession to ensure a come-from-behind win for Golden Eagles in this exciting Axis Solutions Super 8 Cup quarter-final clash at Baobab Stadium yesterday. The home team took the lead midway through the first half when Elson Mweha drilled home from point-blank range.

They could have added to their tally as they controlled proceedings from then but they were wasteful in front of goal.

The exciting Tinashe Mashaireni and Mweha went close to scoring as Ngezi Platinum, despite missing five of their regular players through injuries, threatened to run riot.

But the script changed in the second stanza when Golden Eagles coach Gilbert Mushangazhike shuffled his cards, pulling out the ageless Chris Samakweri for Bhunu.

The visitors instantly seized the initiative, with Bhunu proving to be a menace.

With just his second touch, he equalised with a tap-in after Cloud Mapoka’s initial shot had hit the upright.

As Ngezi Platinum pressed to restore their advantage, they opened up gaps, which allowed Eagles players led by man-of-the match Tatenda Hapazari to flourish.

For most moments in the second half, it was virtually one-way traffic as Golden Eagles searched for a decisive goal, which duly came through the head of Manatsa.

The skipper was far from his usual best but still managed to control proceedings in a tense contest, whose prize was a place in the semi-finals of the inaugural tournament bankrolled by Axis Solutions.

Mushangazhike said his opponents gave them a good run but was happy his charges prevailed. “It came down to tactics. Our opponents were very dangerous in all aspects of the game, they gave us a real run, but I am very happy we managed to win the match,” said Mushangazhike.

“I am happy, especially with the way we won this match. We were trailing at the break, but I am happy we didn’t panic. We remained collected and played from the back. Tactically, we were good and we kept on believing.

“Then we threw in the substitutes including Bhunu, who then turned the affair into our favour.