Bosso succumb to fourth defeat in a row

Harare City. . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Highlanders. . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0

Report by Langton Nyakwenda

HARARE – Ailing giants Highlanders succumbed to their fourth defeat in a row when they fell to bogey side Harare City in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro yesterday.

City, who were held 1-1 by Bosso in controversial circumstances at Barbourfields in the reverse fixture, got their revenge courtesy of an early goal by exciting left winger Talent Chawapiwa.

The slippery Chawapiwa pounced from close range with only three minutes on the clock after a static Highlanders defence had failed to deal with a corner by William Manondo.

The victory pushed Harare City to 34 points and was a huge relief for coach Taurai Mangwiro, whose side had gone into the match winless from their last three outings.

“It’s a good three points for us, we wanted to increase the gap between us and the teams behind us and Highlanders is one of them.

“We are now nine points ahead of Highlanders and this is good because we are chasing a top six finish,” said Harare City assistant coach Mkhupali Masuku after the match.

The result left Bosso stuck on 25 points, a massive 21 behind log leaders Chicken Inn and closer to the red zone than the top four. History favoured the hosts in this fixture as Bosso have never beaten the Sunshine Boys in a league match at Rufaro since 2012.

Bosso came into the match on the back of three consecutive losses to FC Platinum, WhaWha and Chicken Inn and a fixture against their bogey side Harare City was always going to be difficult.

The three-match losing streak claimed the scalp of coach Bongani Mafu, who paved way for former Bosso player Amini Soma-Phiri.

And it was a bad first day in office for Soma-Phiri but the gaffer is confident things will soon work out.

“It is a pity that we conceded an early goal that must have been avoided. As my first game, the way the guys played, I think they deserve a pat on the back.

“There is a lot of work that needs to be done, today we needed a little bit of luck but I am sure we will win our next game.

“We will improve in our second match, it has only been five days in office and I think we are moving in the right direction,” said Soma-Phiri

Highlanders had two golden chances to claw back into the game, first in the 33rd minute when the gifted King Nadolo curled his effort over bar and in the 65th minute when speed merchant Gabriel Nyoni had one too many touches in front of goal before his shot was blocked by City defender Themba Ndlovu.

Teams

Harare City: T. Dube, T. Chimwemwe, A. Chiveya, T. Ndlovu, C. Dickson, T. Samanja, J. Jam, M. Vengesayi, W. Manondo (R. Uchena 88’), F. Zekumbawire (K. Kumwala 56’), T. Chawapiwa (B. Maglasi 80’)

Highlanders: A. Sibanda, S. Munawa, K. Nadolo (E. Muzanenhamo 84’), M. Maphosa, O. Tarumbwa, B. Kangwa, F. Chindungwe, E. Mudzingwa, V. Ndaba (H. Moyo 60’), G. Nyoni, P. Muduhwa. The Sunday Mail