Highlanders fine run brought to an end
Highlanders … . . . . . . .. . . . . . 0
Motor Action . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
BULAWAYO giants Highlanders’ fine run was brought to an abrupt end by visiting Motor Action in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Highlanders started with Njabulo Ncube as a lone striker while midfielder Simon Munawa was surprisingly thrust in as a right wing bank, in a side that saw Bhekimpilo Ncube make a welcome return in the first 11.
The Bulawayo giants appeared to have been thrown a lifeline after their opponents were reduced to 10 men when Bosso former player Lewis Matawu was red carded after a second bookable offence.
Matawu was first cautioned in 40th minute and was duly sent off for an early shower by referee Mlindeli Ndebele for unlawfully coming on the field following an injury.
However it was the visitors who found themselves in the reckoning. Credit should go to midfielder Scholar Hadebe who made a spirited run from the centre to find former Dynamos player Merciful Ncube whose angled left footed effort from close range proved beyond the reach of a diving Munyaradzi Diya against the run of play.
However, Highlanders, in a game they were founding wanting, especially in the vital engine room where matches are won, had the best chance of the afternoon to level up the scores five minutes from the end of the end of the first period.
But Masimba Mambare failed to utilise the magic from Njabulo Ncube, who had laid a ‘sitter’ on his path. The second half came along and proved to be a tales of missed chances for the home side.
Peter “Rio’’ Moyo, in one of his best performances so far this season, could have pulled one back for Highlanders in the 61st minute with his last kick as he was later pulled out for Graham Ncube.
And then desperation crept in for the former Premier League champions as Bhekimpilo, Njabulo and substitute Heritein Mausku who had come in for Mambare took turns to miss in the last stages of the game.
Highlanders mentor Kelvin Kaindu bemoaned the missed chances.
“We could not covert the numerous chances we created. However, our focus is on our next games,’’ he said.
Motor Action’s stand-in coach David George welcomed the victory.
“I am happy that the boys were on fire until the end,’’ grinned George.
Teams
Highlanders: M Diya, S. Munawa, D Ndlovu, I. Mapuranga, B. Kangwa, M. Maphosa, M. Mambare (H Masuku, 73rd), P. Moyo (G Ncube, 66th min), B. Ncube, Milton Ncube (K Mutizwa, 55mins) and N. Ncube
Motor Action: M Jani, C Matawu, P. Bernard, C Mutero, S Hadebe (I Kutsanzira, 61st min) , Y Ibabali (M Tigere, 78th min) M Ncube, N Maviri, S Blessing, L Matawu, D Walaza.
