Shooting Stars hold Highlanders at BF

Thandiwe Moyo in Bulawayo

Highlanders ……………………… (1) 1

Shooting Stars ………………….. (0) 1

An 88th minute equaliser by Elliot Matsika ensured visiting Shooting Stars salvaged a point against Highlanders in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields yesterday.

Highlanders will rue the missed penalty in the first half which was casually taken by Graham Ncube. He was in shock as goalkeeper Godfrey Brown punched it safely out of danger. Ncube did not make an effort to go for the rebound as he seemed too distraught to follow it up and the ball was safely cleared.

Highlanders scored on the stroke of half-time through a well-taken Rahman Kutsanzira free-kick. Shooting Stars looked menacing in the first five minutes of the match with their earliest attempt coming up just 37 seconds.

Highlanders had won a throw-in on the nearside just next to the corner flag. Honest Moyo threw the ball to Ariel Sibanda who was way off his post and as he kicked the ball, Malvin Chipunza put his body on the line and blocked it. The ball fell into the path of Francis Kanda whose shot was kicked back into play by stalwart defender Innocent Mapuranga.

In the 36th minute Highlanders got the penalty after Tigere Maparaganda was adjudged to have handled Knox Mutizwa’s goalbound shot inside the box.

In the 88th minute, Matsika equalised for the visitors after Highlanders failed to clear their lines inside their box. William Kupera spotted Matsika unmarked inside the box, sent in a cross which the former Dynamos midfielder headed home.