GWANDA - Chinhoyi High goalkeeper Tanaka Kaundo emerged the hero as he saved two penalties and slotted in one to see his side sail through to the Copa Coca-Cola Under-16 national soccer final.

With the game ending 0-0 against defending champions Dewure, the two sides had to go into a penalty shootout and his side proved better taking it with a 4-3 win. 

The Mashonaland West outfit will face Rujeko from Mashonaland Central as the tournament reaches it's climax on Sunday at Phelandaba.

Chinhoyi coach, Wycliff Kafeso said they had a good game and is looking forward to Sunday’s encounter against Rujeko at the same venue.

“In terms of the assessment of this game definitely the results were positive to us. But Dewure somehow appeared as if they had a better edge than us in terms of their midfield and getting to the ball first but at the end of the day we were the winners.

“Actually when we realised that these guys were appearing to have an upper hand over us we intentionally wanted to drag them to the penalty shoot out and this is what we did. 

"We knew our goalkeeper is good in terms of saving penalties. So we knew our chances were high and tomorrow (Sunday) I am looking for a win like any other coach. 

"But normally I take each game as it comes. I didn’t see our opponents playing but the fact that they won the semi-final in the other group it means they are a good side,” said Kafeso.

Dewure coach, Paul Mahutu was a disappointed man as their efforts to defend the title were thwarted by Chinhoyi but commended his charges for putting up a good fight.

“It wasn’t good for us to lose. We didn’t want to lose but yes we have lost and I think we are now going back to the drawing board and we start afresh. But my players played well they actually stuck to our game plan but somehow they were unlucky,” said Mahutu.

On the other hand Rangarirai Kusotera’s goal was enough to take Rujeko, who are last year’s losing finalist to the finals as they defeated former champions Chemhanza 1-0 in a match played at Gwanda High.

In the girls section, reigning champions, Chidyamakono remained in the race to defend their title for the fourth consecutive year when they dismissed Chipadze 2-0 in the semi-finals.

Chidyamakono, from Masvingo first won the title in 2013 and since they have been dominating the girls section as they went on to defend the title twice, in 2014 and 2015.

Ropafadzo Mugwagwa and Ruramai Chiteni were the goalscorers for Chidyamakono.

The defending champions will battle it out against Magwegwe from Bulawayo, who beat Vimbai from Mashonaland West 1-0.

Magwegwe got their goal from Mitchelle Joseph in the first five seconds of the game.

In the boys third and fourth play-offs, Dewure beat Chemhanza 1-0 and for the girls Vimbai edged Chipadze 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in the regulation time.

The matches started at group stages with the top two teams in each of the four groups in both the girls and boys section progressing to the quarterfinals. 

And the winners proceeded to the finals set for this morning at Phelandaba.