Game-On Reporter
Herentals Queens successfully defended their Independence Trophy title in dominant fashion on Friday afternoon, crushing MPOSA 6-0 at a packed Maphisa Stadium.
The “Vagoni Vebasa,” who are the reigning Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League champions, proved far too clinical for their opponents, securing their second consecutive Uhuru Cup since the women’s category was inaugurated last year.
The afternoon belonged to new signing Lynette Zembe, who announced her arrival at the club with a spectacular four-goal haul.
Herentals asserted their authority early, with Zembe opening the scoring in the 15th minute after being allowed space to control the ball in the box and slot it home. She doubled the lead shortly after with a solo effort, slicing through the MPOSA defense to fire past the goalkeeper.
Just before the halftime whistle, Bethel Kondo effectively ended the contest as a spectacle, rifling a powerful strike into the net to give the champions a 3-0 cushion at the break.
Despite a spirited effort from MPOSA—led by veteran former Mighty Warriors star Nobuhle Majika—the gulf in class remained evident.
Zembe continued her clinical run in the second half, adding two more goals to her tally.
Her final goal was set up by 15-year-old Zimbabwe international captain Winnie Mapuwa, who impressed on her senior club debut. Natasha Benza also got on the scoresheet to complete the 6-0 rout.
Herentals Queens coach, Simba Dedza, praised his team’s professional performance and the significance of the victory.
“I am over the moon after this emphatic win.
“We managed to defend the Independence Trophy and we are happy as a team. MPOSA is a good team, but we managed to neutralize them. Ultimately, the celebrations of Independence are all that matter,” said Dedza.
The match was attended by club owner Innocent Benza and Premier Soccer League oldest player , who served as the assistant coach on the bench.
, and played out before an appreciative crowd in Maphisa, which has been the focal point of this year’s national Independence celebrations.