Madandila Happy Boys booked a place in the semifinal stage of the prestigious Boy Nemakonde KO competition by beating Mubvumoni FC 4-3 in their quarterfinal match at the Tshifudi Stadium on Saturday.
Happy Boys deserved to win, but their strikers seemed to have forgotten their scoring boots at home. Ndivhuwo Mudzanani of Happy Boys soon realized that it was not his day when he missed a sitter in the 10th minute. This after he had received a neat pass from Avhashoni Nevhungoni within the box.
Happy Boys dictated terms in all departments. Ndamulelo Gumbu of Mubvumoni was booked for a late tackle on Maluta Mutshinya in the 27th minute. Mubvumoni showed more spirit of commitment in the opening minutes of the last half. They nearly took the lead in the 57th minute when Dakalo Nemusunda went loose from the left corner and shot straight to the stranded keeper.
Mubvumoni started to play defensive football after they were reduced to 10 men. Ndamuleo Gumbu was given his marching orders, following a second bookable offence in the 64th minute. Happy Boys failed to capitalize and they also started to play defensive football as if they were leading.
Ndaedzo Matshomo of Mubvumoni was warned with a card for a simulation. He wriggled within the box as if he had been badly tackled and the referee, Mr Mulalo Mubva, reprimanded him with a card.
No goal was scored during regulation time and the winner was determined through penalty shootout. Happy Boys converted four of their five chances while Mubvumoni scored three.