Bosso beat CAPS United with Banda header

Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Bulawayo

Highlanders …………………(0) 1 CAPS United ………..0

HIGHLANDERS survived a CAPS United first half torrent of attacks to beat the Harare side through a Gilbert Banda header in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields on Sunday.

So lethargic was Bosso’s play that Makepekepe should have probably got one or two goals in the first half had their strikers been more composed. Even Highlanders coach Mkhuphali Masuku was not impressed by his charges performance yesterday.

“We really did not play well. It’s one of those games that our performance left a lot to be desired,” he said after the match.

CAPS United tormented Highlanders from the first whistle with their strikers probing runs and had it not been for the experience of steely Innocent Mapuranga and inspirational captain Banda, young Simba Sithole could have left the scene with a goal or two.

But he failed to find his way past a composed home side’s defence that is yet to concede a goal at Barbourfields this season.

The young striker eventually joined a list of players that have arrived ‘on song’ only to be substituted at Barbourfields. Sithole’s ball control and vision was a marvel to watch, justifying why he is a integral part of the Zimbabwe Under-23 team.

The visitors’ first real chance came in the 14th minute when they were awarded a free-kick about 30 metres from Lovemore Makwavarara’s goal line. And the big CAPS United goalkeeper Edmore “Zikeeper” Sibanda let loose a rising shot that missed the upright post by a few centimetres.

Makepekepe, who enjoyed better possession in the middle of the park where Arnold Tshuma fought a lone battle for Bosso, were back again to probe the home side’s defence in the 22nd minute through Washington Pakamisa whose tricky cross was cleared for a corner by Mapuranga.

CAPS United were handed the upperhand in midfield after Masuku instructed Louis Matawu to play deep in midfield, pushing workaholic Eric Mudzingwa in front of him. Mudzingwa is a ball marker, unlike the former Motor Action man Matawu who is a known ball distributor.

Matawu was, however, unlucky in the 33rd minute when he received a brilliant pass from Rahman Kutsanzira only for his shot to be punched away for a corner by an alert Sibanda. A minute later Sithole could have punished Bosso when he beat an ill-conceived off-side trap and raced towards goal with Mapuranga in heavy pursuit but the young striker shot wide much to the relief of the home team’s supporters.

By then CAPS United were showing signs of fatigue as they had been running with zeal, an opportunity seized by the home side who started to exchange some neat passes. CAPS United coach Moses Chunga brought in Evans Gwekwerere in the 46th minute in an effort to bring in some fresh pair of legs up-front but it was Highlanders who started the second half the more determined side.

Misheck Mburayi had an opportunity to put Bosso ahead in the 47th minute but he shot weakly towards Sibanda. The home side was back in the hunt for a goal two minutes later with a Nkomo curler being punched away for a corner by the big goalkeeper.

From then onwards it was a Bosso affair who, like their opponents in the first half, failed to fully mark their dominance with a goal. History was almost made in the 68th minute, a minute after the introduction of Arnold Ndiweni who was playing for the Highlanders’ Under-19 side last season.

Some brilliant passes from just outside the box resulted in the young man breaking loose inside the box and dummying Sibanda only for his effort to go wide. It was his first touch in his debut appearance for the home side’s first team.

Ndiweni was at it again in the 78th minute, laying a beauty for Mudzingwa who stunned everyone, perhaps including himself, by choosing to shoot with his left foot, the result of which was a weak shot that went wide.

Highlanders, however, kept searching for the killer punch and their never-say-die attitude paid dividends three minutes from full-time when captain Banda took matters into his own hands to score the winner for Bosso.

A free-kick was awarded for Bosso and Nkomo sent in an inviting cross that Banda met with a flashing header and the match was decided, but not before fans were treated to a free drama. Another Bosso attack resulted in bustling striker Vincent Nzombe breaking loose and coming face to face with an advancing Sibanda.

The experienced CAPS United goalie, in a desperate effort, handled the ball outside the box and Hwange-based referee Bekezela Makeka flashed a straight red card, sending the big shot stopper to the stands a few seconds before the final whistle. By then Makepekepe had exhausted all their substitutes and defende Douglas Walaza took the gloves.

“While our general performance was not that good, I truly believe that our fighting spirit won us the game today, we never gave up,” said Masuku. His counterpart Chunga, could not avail himself for a post match interview, a rather unusual position by the legendary former Dynamos playmaker.

Teams

Highlanders

L. Makwavarara, G. Banda, I. Mapuranga, L. Nkomo, B. Tshuma, A. Tshuma, L. Matawu (A. Ndiweni 67th minute), E. Mudzingwa, V. Nzombe, M. Mburayi (M. Sibanda 81st minute ) , R Kutsanzira

CAPS United

E. Sibanda, G. Mapemba, A. Chiveya, N. Mukumbi, W. Pakamisa, M. Samaneka (E. Gwekwerere 46th minute), S. Sithole (C. Kawinga 84th minute ), P. Tafirenyika, D. Walaza, F. Adu, D. Rediyoni.