Oscar Rusenga in CHIREDZI
Chiredzi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 3
GIANTS Highlanders shot to the top of the Castle Lager Premiership table yesterday powered by an impressive show that gave them maximum points against Moses Chunga’s Chiredzi FC at Chishamiso.
Ozias Zibande’s first half goal and two more strikes from the Warriors duo of Kudakwashe Mahachi and Charles Sibanda after the breather gave Bosso their second win in three matches.
They now sit at the summit of the table, with seven points just like Hwange and ZPC Kariba, but with a better goal difference.
The Bulawayo giants came into the match confident following a big win over Shabanie Mine in their last league match and the triumph over Harare City in the Independence Cup third-place play-off tie.
But the game started on a low note with both teams knocking the ball around in their own halves.
Chiredzi striker Malvern Gaki wasted an inviting cross from Sam Msimbu inside eight minutes before his rebound was tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya.
Gaki was the first to be booked on the 19th minute for simulation before Abel Gwatidzo was also shown a yellow card for a foul on the impressive Mahachi a minute later.
Highlanders changed the pace of the game with midfielder Milton Ncube and Mahachi exchanging beautiful passes.
Mahachi accelerated in the 27th minute to unleash a shot which the goalkeeper punched back into the path of Zibande who made no mistake with the rebound for Bosso’s opener.
Zibande could have doubled his tally two minutes later but he headed over the bar following a cross from Knox Mtizwa.
Veteran Chiredzi midfielder Rowen Nenzou almost provided the equaliser in the 35th minute after beating Diya with a chip but the ball went just over the bar.
Two minutes later Gaki, who had a good day, tested Diya with a 30-metre thunderbolt but the ball sailed over the bar.
Chunga made a double substitution when the second half resumed introducing Wellington Kamudyariwa and Tapiwa Dhephistara for Durban Bakali and Nenzou.
But it was Highlanders who almost scored in a goalmouth melee but Ncube’s shot was deflected over the bar by Chiredzi captain Fidelis Mangezi.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu introduced Sibanda for Zibande on the hour mark in a decision that later paid dividends. Dhephistara was fouled just outside the box to give Chiredzi a chance to equalise.
Chiredzi’s free-kick specialist Munyaradzi Chiwara, who scored from virtually the same position against Triangle last week, almost repeated the feat when his shot beat Diya but crashed against the woodwork in the 66th minute.
Chiredzi thought they had equalised through Sam Msimbu but his effort was ruled out for an offside in the 68th minute. Highlanders’ Sibanda could not direct his header into the net after another beautiful cross from Mahachi with 15 minutes of play remaining in regulation time.
Soon afterwards the Mamelodi Sundowns-bound midfielder took matters into his own hands with a solo run from the centre line before scoring a beauty which he celebrated with his coach Kelvin Kaindu in the 76th minute.
His Warriors teammate Sibanda scored in the 81st minute following a defensive mix-up which ended up with Mangezi clearing into the path of substitute Rahman Kutsanzira who then set up his teammate to seal the match for Bosso.
“It’s always good to pick maximum points from teams like Chiredzi. They are a good side and determined but today was not their day,” said Kaindu.
Chunga conceded Highlanders were the better side and deserved to win.
“We came here to compete but they were simply better than us,” said Chunga.
“We played like boozers in the first half and that allowed Highlanders to capitalise but we will regroup and hopefully we will collect maximum points in our next match.
“We just hope the corporate world will come to the party and help fund the project but for now we will soldier on.” The Herald
Teams
Chiredzi: C. Gunduza, T. Mpungu, D. Bakali (W. Kamudyariwa, 46th min), F. Mangezi, A. Gwatidzo, R. Nenzou (T. Dhephistara, 46th min), J. Dzingai, M. Chiwara, N. Maroto (B. Pamhirwa, 67th min), M. Gaki, S. Msimbu
Highlanders: M. Diya, S. Munawa, B. Kangwa, D. Ndlovu, I. Mapuranga, E. Mudzingwa, K. Mtizwa, M. Maphosa (W. Ndiweni, 72nd min), O. Zibande (C. Sibanda, 60th min), K. Mahachi, M. Ncube
