From Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Shabanie Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
HIGHLANDERS’ new recruit Pasca Manhanga scored his first goal for his new club with a solitary effort that ensured the Premiership giants’ passage into the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup after edging Shabanie Mine on a windy afternoon at Ascot yesterday.
Bosso’s win somewhat broke their Ascot jinx where victory had eluded them on three occasions this season.
The Bulawayo giants were booted out of the CG Msipa Invitational Tournament on penalties by Chapungu in the run up to the current season before settling for a goalless draw against the same opposition in the league.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu was a relieved man after yesterday’s victory. He predicted that his side can go all the way to win the tournament.
“I am happy with the way the boys played and that we managed to score which we have been failing to do in the last few games. This is a positive result which we will carry into the league.
“The club has a rich history in the Chibuku Cup and after today’s win nothing can stop us from going all the way and win this cup,” he said.
His counterpart John Phiri, whose side has been singing the blues in the league and is in the murky waters of relegation, said he was happy with his team’s performance.
“This is a much improved performance than our last game and I hope the boys deliver such performances in the league so that we survive relegation.
“It was a good match for us because we managed to match Highlanders man for man and with a bit of luck we could have buried some of the chances which we got.”
Bosso were the first to settle down as they took control of the midfield where Hillary Madzivanyika, Charles Sibanda and Joel Ngodzo bullied the Shabanie Mine trio of Godknows Murwira, Xolani Ncube and Wellington Kamudyariwa.
With Bosso enjoying the lion’s share of the exchanges early in the match, Felix Chindungwe made the first attempt at goal from outside the box in the fifth minute but his effort went over the bar.
After the scare Shabanie Mine slowly clawed back into the game and could have surged ahead in the 11th minute when Xolani Ncube who shone like a beacon for the asbestos miners did well to beat his marker and whipped in a cross which found Murwira.
With Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda badly positioned Murwira skied his effort from inside the box.
From then on action swung from one end to the other but with little goal mouth action until the 35th minute when Bruce Kangwa gained possession near the corner flag after some fine work by Bosso.
He then flighted an inch perfect cross which was met by Manhanga who did justice to it as he curled the ball into the left corner of goal from inside the box past diving goalkeeper Victor Twaliki.
The goal torched wild celebrations among the Bosso supporters who outnumbered their Shabanie Mine rivals.
The second half was a tale of missed opportunities as both sides fluffed chances which came their way.
Highlanders could have doubled their advantage when a cross by Manhanga was headed over the bar by an unmarked Sibanda 16 minutes after the breather.
With the match an evenly balanced affair Zvenyika Makonese was unlucky not to have his name on the scoresheet after his header was cleared off the line by Madzivanyika before the ball rolled out for a corner.
In the end Manhanga’s effort proved to be the winner ensuring that Bulawayo giants march towards a possible fifth Chibuku title and the first in the new millennium.
Teams:
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Charles Sibanda, Bruce Kangwa, Innocent Mapuranga, Hillary Madzivanyika, Felix Chindungwe, Dumisani Ndlovu, Eric Mudzingwa, Joel Ngodzo (Ndiweni 61st minute), Njabulo Ncube (Kuda Machazani 70th minute), Pasca Manhanga
Shabanie Mine: Victor Twaliki, Smart Muchabaiwa, Terrence Moyo, Zvenyika Makonese, Rodney Mware, Douglas Sibanda, Wellington Kamudyamuriwa (Kabanda 70th minute), Xolani Ncube, Allen Tavarwisa, Carlos Mesi (C Mageja 75th minute) The Herald
