RODWELL Chinyengetere was the star of the day on the return of football in the country with a hat-trick as FC Platinum thumped newsboys Whawha 6-0 at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane on matchday one of the Chibuku Super Cup.
The Zimbabwe champions started like a house on fire, scoring three goals in each half as they battered the Prison and Correctional Service outfit in the cruellest fashion.
Chinyengetere, who had a brief stint in South Africa playing for Baroka FC, reminded everyone of his class by scoring the tournament’s first hat-trick.
Another PSL returnee, Silas Songani, who used to ply his trade in Denmark a couple of seasons ago, scored a brace to complete the rout, with Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya scoring the sixth goal senior debut for the platinum miners.
Chicken Inn’s George Majika made history by being the first player to score a goal as football returned to the Zimbabwe sporting scene.
Majika’s goal and another from Obrey Chirinda helped the Gamecocks beat Bulawayo City 2-0 as the former league champions showed their city rivals that they were in it to win it.
In another high scoring thriller, Black Rhinos made sure that no newly promoted team won in the first round of matches of the Chibuku Super Cup as they thumped Tenax 4-1at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare.
The matchday one of Chibuku Super Cup was the match between former Cup Kings, CAPS United, versus Yadah at the National Sports Stadium.
It was a game of two halves with Yadah going to break with two goals to the good with Prosper Kafelapanjila and Tanaka Shandirwa.
CAPS United came back a rejuvenated side after the break playing purposeful football. It was duly rewarded when Ishmael Wadi met a Phineas Bhamusi cross and scored to bring Makepekepe back into the game.
Wadi was not done yet, and he brought The Green Machine on level terms in the 70th minute, leaving the match delicately poised.
Both teams had chances to win it in the end but had to settle for a two-all draw in what was a pulsating encounter.
Today, titleholders Highlanders take on bogey side Bulawayo Chiefs at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo while Dynamos play against the Students, Herentals at the National Sports stadium in Harare.
Tournament dark horses Ngezi Platinum Stars and Triangle clash at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane.
Harare City plays ZPC Kariba in an early kick-off at the National Sports stadium, with Manica Diamonds host debutants Cranborne Bullets at Sakubva stadium in Mutare.
