IT was pomp and fanfare on the opening day of the Heart Women’s Soccer League 16-team knockout tournament at the Heart Stadium in Waterfalls Harare with no major casualties as some pre-tournament favourites sailing through to the quarter finals to set up some mouth watering clashes.
Herentals Queens overcame a stubborn Conduit Academy by one goal to nil in pulsating match in Heart Stadium’s Arena B.
Conduit matched their more illustrious opponents blow for blow but lacked the cutting edge upfront.
Herentals were also their own worst enemies as they created chance after chance but failed to score.
With the game seeming to be destined for a penalties, Herentals summoned all their experience to score the winner and show why they are the reigning champions of the Zimbabwe domestic football.
It was a heartbreak for Conduit and jubilation for Herentals proprietor, Innocent Benza who was the assistant coach for the winning team.
Platinum Royals defeated Sheasham Gweru Queens by two goals to one in a tense midlands derby played in the Heart Stadium main arena.
Both teams were methodical in their build up from the back and entertained the post lunch crowd with their passing football.
Ultimately it was Platinum Royals that prevailed with their extra quality in the final third.
With the quarter finals finalized, the first game of the day, the uniformed forces derby between Chapungu Queens and Black Rhinos Queens promises to a tense affair and a game of small margins.
Chapungu Queens coach and former Mighty Warriors player SithetheleIwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda has described the match as a final before a final.
“You always want to play such a match in the final but unfortunately it is in the quarterfinals, but I will say this is a final before the final. It is not going to be easy playing the premiership log leaders but we just have to find a way to beat them” said Sibanda.
“I think this match will be won by the team which takes their few chances and it being tournament football, anything can happen and I am just hoping my girls can prevail” added Sibanda.
The other quarterfinal pits Herentals and Correctional Queens, with both of teams needing to improve in the final third of they entertain any hopes of proceeding to the semis.
Correctional Queens booked their quarterfinals place by beating Highlanders on penalties.
