Highlanders ease into second place

By Sikhumbuzo Moyo in BULAWAYO

Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

HIGHLANDERS players’ lack of fitness was yesterday rudely exposed by visiting Triangle despite the hosts winning by a solitary strike from leading goal-scorer Charles Sibanda at Hartsfield. 

Coach Kelvin Kaindu, however, defended his players’ fitness levels and instead blamed the Hartsfield pitch.

“I don’t think it’s anything to do with fitness of the players, the game was just difficult and boring, not that the players got tired,” said Kaindu.

Highlanders have a full-time fitness trainer, Majaha Ndlovu, for the first time in the history of the club.

Bosso were the first to settle but they missed chances, hit the bar, until Sibanda put them ahead in the 23rd minute.

“The goal was a clear offside and we lost due to poor officiating. These referees have been doing that and getting away with it, it was clear that there was a prior plan to do this and even the added time was just too little, I mean a minute in such a match when we had so many injuries,” charged Triangle gaffer Biggie Zuze.

The visitors could have grabbed an equaliser in the 39th minute after the usually reliable Erick Mudzingwa failed to clear a harmless looking ball that eventually fell onto the path of Tinei Chitora who found himself face-to-face with Ariel Sibanda but failed to convert.

Triangle came back from the breather an inspired side and they were given the edge when Pasca Manhanga, playing against his parent club, was sent off.

Nhamo Lameck hit the upright post as the visitors tried to steal a point.

A relieved Kaindu conceded that his boys did not play their usual game but still managed to bag the three points.

“We managed to get a chance, score and then hung on. It was a difficult game though,” said Kaindu. The Chronicle

Teams

Highlanders: A. Sibanda, E. Mudzingwa, H. Moyo ( W. Chingodzo 64th min), I. Mapuranga, D. Ndlovu, F. Chindungwe, J. Ngodzo (M. Maphosa (60th min), H. Madzivanyika, C. Sibanda, N. Ncube (K. Machazane 55th min), P. Manhanga

Triangle: R. Mudimu, B. Chimwamuchere (N. Lameck 31st min), J. Tigere, J. Dzingai, C. Makoto, C. Kamhapa (T. Chipunza 75th min), G. Ncube (Felix Kuswatuka 56th min), N. Melson, T. Chitora, C. Makoto