HARARE – Ngezi Platinum have bowed out of the CAF Champions League after losing 4-3 on penalties to Congolese champions AS Maniema Union in the second leg of the preliminary round clash played at Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, DRC on Sunday.
The Zimbabwe premiership defending champions played goalless draws on both legs of the fixture which had to be decided through the dreaded penalty shootout.
Meanwhile, in the domestic premiership, Highlanders failed to take advantage of a 10-men Chicken Inn with whom they played out a goalless draw in the headline fixture of the Zimbabwe premiership’s Week 24 round of matches played at Barbourfields stadium on Sunday.
Mpumelelo Bhebhe was shown a red card for a second bookable offence following fouls made on Highlanders’ Prince Ndlovu in the first half and Nqobile Ndlovu just after the hour.
Bhebhe was already in the referee’s book just after eight minutes of the match with a yellow card for a foul on Prince Ndlovu.
In another clash, teenage star Kingsley Mureremba beat the referee’s half time whistle with a volleyed effort that gave Caps United a 1-0 victory over Manica Diamonds at Rufaro.
Deposed league leaders FC Platinum lost 1-0 to Bikita Minerals at Sakubva.
At Baobab, football sensation Khama Billiat scored again in a clash that saw home side Chegutu Pirates lose 2-0 to Yadah.
Simba Bhora go into Week 25 of the league race sitting on top of the league on 47 points.
FC Platinum are second on 45 while Highlanders took advantage of Ngezi Platinum’s absence from the domestic league to move to third spot on 38 points.
Bosso are tied on 38 points with Ngezi Platinum who have a game in hand.
Manica Diamonds lie fourth on 36.
