HARARE - Defending champions Dynamos were given a huge scare by top-flight debutants Quelaton in their opening match of the Mbada Diamonds Cup on an entertaining opening weekend full of thrills and spills.
 
Luckily for Dynamos, they were able to hold their nerve from 12 yards and progressed into the quarterfinals with a penalty shootout 4-2 win.

This is the beauty of cup competitions, and with a little bit of luck, Quelaton could have registered the first major upset of the 2012 edition.

Dynamos got their goal in regulation time in the 19th minute after in-form midfielder Denver Mukamba raced onto Tawanda Muparati’s lob over the Kwela Kwela defence to beat goalkeeper Tapiwanashe Marime.

After drawing first blood, most people inside Rufaro Stadium expected DeMbare to run away with the tie, but Quelaton defended stubbornly.

The Bulawayo-based side frustrated Dynamos and dully equalised 11 minutes from time through Eddy Nkhulungo after a mix-up between goalkeeper George Chigova and his defence.

In the last eight, DeMbare will now meet Gunners, who beat Chicken Inn 3-2 at Pelandaba Stadium on Sunday.
Ishmael Lawe scored a last minute winner for Moses Chunga’s men, who will fancy their chances against a DeMbare side that seems to struggle against teams in the lower half of the table lately.

DeMbare were not convincing at all against Quelaton and if they put up a similar performance against Gunners in October, they might kiss the cup goodbye.

On Sunday, Shabanie Mine booked a last eight berth against fellow Zvishavane miners FC Platinum when they defeated Hwange 1-0 at Maglas Stadium.

Former Masvingo United star Pervington Zimunya was the Shabanie hero when his score first half free-kick separated the two teams.

Platinum were ruthless in their destruction of Harare City on Saturday at Nyamhunga Stadium in Kariba.

The platinum miners scored their goals through Allen Gahadzikwa, Joel Ngodzo and Mitchell Katsvairo.

The derby between the two Zvishavane sides is likely to be one of the standout fixtures in the quarterfinals.

Contests between Shabanie and Platinum are always filled with drama and tension due to their local rivalry.

Mutare soldiers Buffaloes continued with their impressive debut season in the top-flight league when they booked their last-eight ticket with a 2-1 win over Black Mambas.

Prosper Matizanadzo scored a brace for Buffaloes while Last Chibwiro netted the Mambas goal.

In the quarterfinals, the Buffaloes will now meet rejuvenated CAPS United, who beat Motor Action 1-0 at Trojan Mine on Saturday.

United seem to have found their feet again under Taurai Mangwiro and had Hardlife Zvirekwi to thank after the fullback grabbed an 87th-minute winner in Bindura.

The two Harare teams had very little entertainment value as both teams opted to route one football owing to the bad state of the Trojan Mine field.

Also on Saturday, Highlanders made their way into the quarterfinals with a hard- fought win over Blue Rangers in an ill-tempered match at Barbourfields Stadium.

The match had a 10-minute stoppage after Rangers goalkeeper Pedzisai Gumiremhete was expelled for time-wasting.

Bosso got their goals from Bheki Ncube and Ozias Zibande while David Temwanjira scored for Rangers.
The quarterfinals will be played between October 20 and 21.

MBADA QUARTER FINALS

Dynamos v Gunners, Highlanders v Monomotapa, Shabanie Mine v Platinum, CAPS United v Buffaloes