Highlanders dismiss Triangle in Mbada Cup

BULAWAYO soccer giants Highlanders progressed to the next round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup after beating Triangle in a five-goal thriller at Barbourfields yesterday.

Ricky Zililo in BULAWAYO

Highlanders . . . . . . . . . (2) 3

Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2

It was an exciting match with both teams showing their intentions of making it into the quarter-finals with some well-blended attacking football.

Highlanders got their goals from strikers Gabriel “Mabhurugwe” Nyoni who scored a first half brace and Njabulo Ncube who hit the back of the net in the second half.

Bosso showed that they meant business from the first whistle with Nyoni giving his team the lead as early as the second minute when he headed into an empty net.

Highlanders’ opening goal came from a set piece when Milton Ncube quickly released the ball to Lawson Nkomo on the right who in turn sent in a perfect cross that found Mthulisi Maphosa who headed the ball across to Nyoni who was free to direct the ball into the net.

The early goal did not deter Triangle as they regrouped and pushed their men forward in search of an equaliser which they got in the 14th minute when Charles Makoto beat Highlanders’ goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya with a well taken grounder from the edge of the box.

After that, the visitors continued with their dominance in the midfield with former Tsholotsho FC player Pasca Manhanga giving Nkomo a torrid time and engineering most of Triangle’s raids. Unfortunately, Triangle’s attacks were all in vain as they failed to unlock the Highlanders defence.

It was Highlanders who surged ahead a minute after the half-hour mark when Nkomo won possession on the right side, sent a long pass to Njabulo who cleverly sent through Maphosa who in turn sent a square pass that beat Triangle’s goalkeeper Ashley Rangers leaving Nyoni to slide the ball into the back of the net.

Both sides did not take off the attacking pedal after the breather and Maphosa was unlucky not to find the back of the net in the 46th minute as Rangers pushed his curler for a corner.

Three minutes later Manhanga dribbled past Nkomo and let a ferocious drive which Diya acrobatically saved for a corner kick.

Highlanders’ best player of the season Bruce Kangwa who was voted man-of-the match made his way past two Triangle players on the left before sending a cross into the box which Njabulo coolly controlled before poking the ball past an advancing Trinagle goalkepper.

Eight minutes later Manhanga reduced the arrears when he beat Diya at the near post from the blind side after being left unattended by Nkomo.

Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu reacted swiftly by pulling out Nkomo for Eric Mudzingwa who stamped his authority and managed to keep the menacing Manhanga under lock and key.

After the final whistle, Kaindu was a relieved man because Triangle were always dangerous whenever they were in possession.

“I am happy with the victory and I must say it was a difficult but exciting game. Both teams put up brilliant performances and I think everyone enjoyed the game.

“I was happy that we scored three goals but the problem is that we tend to lose concentration which leads us to conceding unnecessary goals. We have to work on that,” said Kaindu.

Triangle coach Gishon Ntini who had in the pre-match interviews vowed to disappoint Bosso could not be drawn to comment as he was locked in the dressing room where he was having a tough talk with his players.

Teams

Highlanders: Munyaradzi Diya, Innocent Mapuranga, Dumisani Ndlovu, Bruce Kangwa, Lawson Nkomo (Eric Mudzingwa, 70th minute), Simon Munawa, Mthulisi Maphosa, Peter Moyo (Hillary Madzivanyika, 76th minute), Milton Ncube (Beavan Chikaka, 64th minute), Gabriel Nyoni, Njabulo Ncube

Triangle: Ashley Rangers, Brian Juwayeyi, Blessing Chimwamuchere, William Mapfumo, Norman Togara, David Sengu (Tawanda Muyendi, 54th minute), Charles Makoto, Limited Chikafa (Richard Kawondera, 70th minute), Pasca Manhanga, Lameck Nhamo (Courage Denias, 54th minute), Misheck Mburayi.