Golden Eagles . . . . (0) 2
Simba Bhora . . . . . .(0) 0
GOLDEN Eagles were crowned the innagural winners of the Axis Solutions Super 8 Cup after beating Simba Bhora in an entertaining final at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The win was sweet revenge for Golden Eagles as they atoned for missing out on promotion to the Premier Soccer League to their rivals during the Northern Region Soccer League campaign.
After a goalless opening half which they dominated Eagles were finally rewarded for their persistence when they took the lead in the 75th minute courtesy of a fine header from defender Ray Uchena.
As Simba Bhora pushed men forward in search of an equaliser which would have sent the match to penalties, Eagles virtually ended the match as a contest through a breakaway goal by Aaron Zeka in added time.
Golden Eagles were deserving winners as they created the better chances in the opening half with the ageless Chris Samakwere and striker Albert Nyamutsaka coming close to breaking the deadlock.
Missing the services of Ronald Chitiyo in midfield Simba Bhora struggled to create any meaningful opportunities as their usually prolific forward Tinashe Balakasi lacked the service upfront.
- Eagles soar into Axis Solutions Super 8 semis
- All set for Axis Solutions Super 8 Cup Draw
- Eagles soar into Axis Solutions Super 8 semis
- All set for Axis Solutions Super 8 Cup Draw
Keep Reading
Eagles, led by their industrious skipper Henry Manatsa, continued to dominate as Nyamukapa came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock soon after the restart as his close range shot came off the upright post.
Despite playing second fiddle for the better part of the match, Simba Bhora had the best opportunity of the match in the 51st minute but failed to capitalise after Balakasi shot wide of goal with Munyaradzi Diya in goal for Eagles badly exposed.
Diya also needed to produce a brilliant save to keep out a well struck long range strike as the match wore on.
Eagles' dominance finally paid off in the 75th minute when defender Ray Uchena scored with a well taken header from a corner kick.
Simba Bhora tried to come back into the match without any success until a breakaway goal by Aaron Zeka in injury time sealed the victory for Eagles.
Golden Eagles rightback Tadiwa Chibuwe was named Man of the Match while the late Simba Bhora midfielder Barnabas Mushunje was honoured posthumously for his sterling performances by being named the Player of the Tournament.
Winning coach Gilbert Mushangazhike was named the Coach of of the Tournament.
