Mafu still believes despite draw

By Ricky Zililo in BULAWAYO

Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1

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

HIGHLANDERS coach Bongani Mafu believes Bosso are still in contention for the Castle Lager Premier League championship despite his side only managing three points out of a possible 12 from their last four games.

The Bulawayo giants yesterday had to come from a goal down to salvage a point against a resilient Triangle at Barbourfields.

Highlanders are five points above the drop zone with 20 points and trail leaders Chicken Inn by nine points.

Mafu remained confident of turning the club’s fortunes around in the second half of the season and compete for the championship.

“Well, I play in the Premier League at the end of it there is a championship. Yes, I’m playing for that (championship). I play in the Premiership to win matches and win the championship,” he said.

“I want to win the games. Chicken Inn won most games in the first half playing in Bulawayo and we were playing away.

“We are halfway and still got lots of improvements to do, especially at Barbourfields, there are so many teams coming up.”

To make sure that the championship hopes are not just a pipe dream, Mafu needs to come up with a winning formula soon.

Yesterday they failed to beat a 10-man Triangle who had their skipper Charles Rukwanhi sent off in the 22nd minute after picking a second yellow card for wearing an undergarment different from his shorts.

Ex-Highlanders midfielder, Pasca Manhanga, punished his former paymasters by ghosting from the blind side to connect a perfect Brian Juwayeyi cross from the right and beat diving Bosso ‘keeper Njabulo Nyoni.

Highlanders tried to work their way into the game but found the Triangle defence unyielding.

The visitors exhibited some entertaining football with Hillary Bakacheza causing havoc to Bosso defence.

Rukwanhi was lucky to get away with a yellow card for a double-footed challenge on King Nadolo in the 20th minute.

Before Bosso could take the foul, referee Hardly Ndazi noticed that the Triangle captain was putting on a black tight under his red short and gave the defender his second yellow card.

The visitors’ protests were in vain.

That red card seemed to wake Bosso from their slumber as they started venturing forward but missed two glaring chances when both Knox Mtizwa and Honest Moyo failed to direct their headers on target.

Highlanders returned from the break a more determined side as they started knocking the ball around and were rewarded for their efforts nine minutes after half-time when Mtizwa stabbed home from close range.

It was Mtizwa’s sixth goal in five consecutive starts for the former champions.

Rahman Kutsanzira won possession on the left side, sent a pass to Obadiah Tarumbwa who laid the ball onto the path of Nadolo whose goal-bound shot deflected off a Triangle defender and fell into the path of Mtizwa.

There was nothing that Triangle goalie Ashley Reyners could have done to stop Mtizwa’s effort.

Two minutes later Mtizwa fluffed a scoring opportunity after a Triangle defender headed the ball into his path but the striker shot over the bar.

On the 79th minute mark, Mtizwa and Nadolo ran into each other’s path trying to connect a Kutsanzira cross, leaving the ‘keeper to collect the ball.

Mafu was unhappy with missed opportunities.

“It’s a game that we could have won. We created more opportunities but missed. I think in the second half we played a good passing game and used our numerical advantage.

“I’m glad that today we didn’t lose but I think games like this one, we should win.

“But remember Triangle is a team that has been playing very well, so let’s count our blessings (getting) a point playing against a good team is something you should be happy with,” he said.

Triangle’s coach Kelvin Kaindu said the red card affected their plans.

“A point away is alright but we had planned for a win, unfortunately, the game was spoiled. I’m one person who doesn’t like to comment on referees,” Kaindu said.

“The red card disturbed our rhythm. We are going to plan for the return leg and believe you me at home we are very offensive.”

Teams

Highlanders:

N. Nyoni, W. Chingodza, B. Kangwa, E. Mudzingwa, H. Moyo, S. Munawa, R. Kutsanzira (V. Ndaba, 83rd min), K. Nadolo, E. Muzanenhamo (W. Ndiweni, 70th min), O. Tarumbwa, K. Mutizwa

Triangle United:

A. Reyners, P. Tonha, M. Nelson, E. Mwinga, C. Rukwanhi, T. Chipunza, M. Mukumba (J. my Tigere, 46th minute), P. Manhanga, H. Bakacheza, B. Juwayeyi (C. Kamhapa, 69th min), C. Denias (F. Kuswatuka, 60th min) The Chronicle