Little Kiglon hold Bosso at Rufaro

By Augustine Hwata

Kiglon……………………………0

Highlanders…………………….0

Little Kiglon held their nerve until the end at Rufaro yesterday to force a share of spoils with Highlanders as both teams moved one place up the ladder on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table.

Bosso are now fourth on the log with 24 points while Kiglon moved into 13th place with 15 points. Kiglon, fielding a virtually new squad, put up a brave fight and despite firing blanks for the entire 90 minutes, their coach Pearson Matipedza was happy with the result.

The Harare side were last month dumped by 15 registered players and had to rush to sign “old war horses” ahead of the game. Matipedza, who inherited a difficult position following the sudden departure of coach Maxwell Jongwe Takaendesa last month, started from scratch.

“This is a team that has been assembled hurriedly. Most of the players had deserted us and the prophets of doom had written us of. Some of them were even here in the stadium but we have proved them wrong. It was hard for the team to play with so many enemies,” said Matipedza.

Former Kiglon captain Charles Mukanhairi, Webster Chingodza, Danger Fourpence, Witness Nyamutsaka, Yves Ebabali, William Manondo, Charlton Mashumba, Tinashe Masika and Ngoni Maviri have left the club.

Hardworking midfielder Conrad Whitby’s is away and this left Kiglon with goalkeeper Tsungi Mudzamiri, wingback Bernard Gumbo and striker Last Chibwiro as the only core members of the team available.

But frantic efforts were made on Tuesday to secure experienced players like Bernard Benesi Bvumbwe from Blue Ribbon, Black Mambas’ Casper Machona, Mudiwa Mususa and More Moyo from Gunners.

“We are almost building a new team and More Moyo joined us just two days ago while Last had hardly been training. But I am proud of the way the guys have played,” said Matipedza.

Kiglon are set to face Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday and caretaker coach Matipedza hopes to see an improvement. Highlanders’ coach Mkhupali Masuku was rather disappointed with the two points dropped than the one point gained. Kiglon were too cautious during the match and employed delaying tactics to slow down the match.

“What else can one expect when you play against a team that does not have any ambitions? But it’s all part of the game. They have nothing to play for and will be happy with a draw but we played well,” said Masuku.

The Bosso coach said he was pleased with the first 15 games of the season and he is hopeful of a better second half.

“I am happy that we got away with a point when playing away from home. The position we have reached on the log is okay and I am confident that we will do well in the next 15 games,” said Masuku.

Kiglon have not won in their last five outings after losing three matches to CAPS (5-1), Chicken Inn (3-1) and FC Platinum (2-0) while collecting two points from draws against Blue Ribbon and Motor Action. But Kiglon, who have earned a reputation of being giant killers in the Premiership, could have smiled at Rufaro with Moyo playing one of his best games this season.

The veteran striker lasted the entire 90 minutes and was good in shielding the ball as well as creating chances for his teammates. Highlanders dominated the first quarter of the game with Lawson Nkomo and Gift Lunga whipping in crosses that found no takers inside the box.

Bosso’s skipper Gilbert Banda was allowed a free header, off a Nkomo corner kick, but sent the effort wide of Mudzamiri in the 22nd minute while Eric Mudzingwa sent his effort wide three minutes later. Rahman Kutsanzira carved open the Kiglon midfield as he weaved his way past Bvumbwe but skied his shot.

Kiglon’s first real chance came when Moyo went past defender Innocent Mapuranga, wide on the left ,and enter-ed the box but he toe-poked the ball straight at goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda,who came off the line to narrow the angle. Highlanders allowed Kiglon to gain some confidence in the second half but both teams continued to miss chances.

Teams

Kiglon: T. Mudzamiri, K. Kipikinyu, B. Gumbo, C. Machona, S. Chokuwanda, M. Mususa, B. Bvumbe, L. Chibwiro (B. Pamhirwa 77th min), W. Nyasulu (E. Mwanza 83rd min) D. Moyo, K. Mageja

Highlanders: A. Sibanda, G. Banda, R. Kutsanzira, G. Lunga (B. Kangwa 68th min) I. Mapuranga, E. Mudzingwa (X. Ncube 51st min), S. Munawa, T. Ndlovu, L. Nkomo, V. Nzombe (N. Ncube 68th min), B. Thsuma,