NGEZI Platinum say they knew a cup final appearance against FC Platinum would guarantee them participation in Africa.

After the 3-1 win in the Chibuku Super Cup final at Baobab on Saturday coach Tonderai Ndiraya said their dream had been fulfilled.

When they had that dream, FC Platinum looked set to run away with the league title and that meant Norman Mapeza’s charges were set for CAF Champions league.

CAPS United changed that script.

And on Saturday Ngezi Platinum did not just need an appearance but a win against FC Platinum to be guaranteed participation in the CAF Confederation Cup. They did it with aplomb.

“We had a dream and that dream was to play FC Platinum in the final of the Chibuku Super Cup. At that time they were leading the log in the Castle Lager Premiership.

“So we thought we would go into the final with them and whichever result we were going to get would allow us to go into Africa.

“But then, here we are today, we spice it up by winning the game and winning the game by a 2-0 margin which I thought was extraordinary for a team of our magnitude,” Ndiraya said.

In the end Ngezi Platinum became the first club to win Chibuku Super Cup in their debut Premiership season.

It didn’t matter FC Platinum had won the cup before and were seeking to become the first to win it twice.

This result at the end of the day meant Ndiraya becoming a third different coach to win the cup and Ngezi Platinum becoming a third different club to win it.

FC Platinum and Harare City had done so before them.

“We deserved it. I thought we defended very well, never gave them much room and restricted them to shooting from a distance.

“We scored from fast breaks and counter attacks which I thought we executed very well. I’m happy for the boys, I’m happy for the community and I hope the bosses will allow us to participate in Africa,” said Ndiraya.

Liberty Chakoroma scored a brace while Kelvin Bulaji was also on target for the newboys. Gerald Takwara scored for FC Platinum.

“I want to thank the fans. They supported us from the onset and when I got in, they believed in me and we begun to see some positive signs in the team and they kept on supporting us,” Ndiraya said.

Last year Ndiraya lost in the final of the same competition whilst coaching Dynamos.

“This is my second final in this competition as a coach so I’m very much elated. Last year I could not get it because we lost in the final. This year I wanted it badly, personally as a coach,” he said.