Sibanda brace fires Bosso to the top

Ricky Zililo in BULAWAYO

Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 3
Black Rhinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1

A SUPERB performance by Highlanders’ man-of-the-moment, Charles Sibanda, who hit a brace, was at the heart of the Bulawayo giants’ win at Barbourfields yesterday that powered them to the top of the table. Sibanda took his season’s tally to eight goals in 13 matches.

Bosso showed character to bounce back from the 0-1 defeat to Dynamos in their last match and also come back from a goal down in this tie.

Highlanders had firm control of the game but the army side’s coach Arthur Tutani made a tactical substitution in the 36th minute pulling out an ineffective Charles Chiutsa for Kelvin Chiripawako who brought in a fresh breeze to the visitors’ attack.

Chiripawako was the architect of Black Rhinos’ goal on the half-time mark as he won possession in the centre circle, found Wilson Chakanyuka on the right who then sent a perfect cross to the blind side that was headed home by Lincoln Saramaya.

Bosso returned from the breather to reclaim control of the encounter.

It took them 12 minutes to level the scores with Gabriel Nyoni heading a Valentine Ndaba corner-kick past a diving Jonathan Zvaita.

Eight minutes later Sibanda scored a beauty, brilliantly heading the ball home off a Welcome Ndiweni cross from the right after a good build-up by Bosso which involved Ngodzo and Munawa.

Sibanda completed his double from the penalty spot nine minutes before the end of regulation time after Erick Manokore had handled in the box as he tried to intercept a clever back heel flick in front of referee Thembinkosi Sibanda.

“It always feels good to score important goals for the team and like I said before, if we continue working hard as a team we will achieve our goals,” said Sibanda.

“Obviously, after that loss to Dynamos we were down but the good thing is that we managed to pick ourselves up and the coach spoke about the need to believe in ourselves and we just did that.

“Everyone did their best to get a positive result.”

Black Rhinos tried to come back into the game but found ‘keeper Ariel Sibanda up to the task, denying them twice in time added on as he summoned his reflexes stop a Beavan Chikaka close range shot as well as a dipping effort by Nesbert Padzarondora.

Tutani was impressed with his team’s performance.

“Yes, we have lost but the result doesn’t show the actual picture of the game. Unfortunately, the goals we conceded were more of schoolboy blunders but it was a good entertaining game which the fans, I think, enjoyed.

“My players played very well against one of the biggest teams and we are now looking forward to the Dynamos game,” Tutani said.

Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu was a relieved man.

“Even when we conceded we came back and took control of the game. The players showed great character, mental stability and I believe this win could be a turning point for better things,” he said. Chronicle

Teams

Highlanders: A. Sibanda, S. Munawa, B. Kangwa, D. Ndlovu, I. Mapuranga, E. Mudzingwa, K. Mutizwa (W. Ndiweni, 53rd min), J. Ngodzo (F. Chindungwe, 82nd min), G. Nyoni, C. Sibanda, V. Ndaba (G. Makaruse, 84th min)

Black Rhinos: J. Zvaita, J. Mukombwe, M. Kureva, O. Gada, N. Padzarondora, L. Saramaya (B. Muzondiwa, 66th min), C. Chiutsa (K. Chiripawako, 36th min), P. Marufu, E. Manokore, W. Chakanyuka (B. Chikaka, 75th min), B. Homora