Bosso youngsters steal the show

By Ricky Zililo

Highlanders 1-0 Bulawayo City

Highlanders’ youngsters Prince Dube, Adrian Silla and Percy Sibanda stole the show as Bosso edged Bulawayo City 1-0 in the final of the Bulawayo Football Festival at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

Dube scored a beautiful goal in the 41st minute, connecting a cheeky Silla chip with his left foot under challenge from City’s experienced defender Zibusiso Sibanda.

The telepathic understanding between Dube, Silla and Percy, who won the promotion to the Zifa Southern Region Division One League with Highlanders’ development side last season before being promoted into the first team this year, was amazing.

They left fans convinced that Bosso did not lose anything by letting go of Obidiah Tarumbwa and Nqobizitha Masuku, who were on loan from Bantu Rovers last year. Dube kept the experienced City’s central defensive pair of Brighton Dube and Zibusiso on their toes throughout the match with Silla and Percy pulling the strings in midfield.

Playing behind the strikers, Silla showed little respect for City’s veteran midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa, who was marking him, as he won most of the duels.

City enjoyed superior ball possession, but failed to turn it into goals.

Bosso were resilient, keeping City at bay and their quick counter attacks could have paid off had their forwards been sharp in front of gaol.

City’s biggest let down was indecision in the final third and they rarely troubled Highlanders’ Zambian goalkeeper Sitali Nyambwe.

Former Highlanders’ junior player Lewis Ncube, who was deployed on the right side of midfield for City, provided the much needed agility for the PSL new boys upfront, but his efforts were equally dealt with by Bosso fullback Julius “Sikhuthele” Daudi.

Bosso’s central defence pair of Benson Phiri and Honest Moyo contained City’s forward Mkhululi Moyo, who played as a lone striker.

Highlanders’ assistant coach Amini Soma-Phiri was impressed with his team’s performance.

“I’m happy with the progress that we’ve made so far and the players were excellent, especially the youngsters. It shows that our preparations are going well and it gives us a clear picture about the players going into the final squad selection,” said Phiri.

City’s coach Philani Ncube was also happy with their play despite the defeat. “We’re not worried about the loss because it wasn’t about the results for us, but a training game. We’re slowly getting there. Physically the guys are alright and now we’re moving into tactics and technique. You saw we controlled the game and what we are trying to do is coming up,” said Ncube.

Teams

Highlanders: Sitali Nyambwe, Julius Daudi, Anorld Ndiweni, Tendai Ngulube, Benson Phiri, Danmore Chakwana, Prince Dube, Simba Sithole, Tinashe Munetsi, Lawson Nkomo, Honest Moyo

Bulawayo City: Ndodana Sibanda, Takunda Muzuva, Zibusiso Sibanda, Brighton Dube, Terrence Majo, Mthulisi Maphosa, Xolisani Moyo, Lewis Ncube, Innocent Kutsanzira, Brain Chikwenya, Mkhululi Moyo. The Chronicle