By Sikhumbuzo Moyo in BULAWAYO
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
Buffaloes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
HIGHLANDERS continued to climb up the ladder on the Castle Lager Premiership table after a late strike by skipper Obadiah Tarumbwa helped them beat relegation-haunted Buffaloes at Barbourfields yesterday.
The visitors, though, were unlucky to return to Mutare empty-handed after holding Highlanders for most of the match only to lose concentration at a crucial time in the 90th minute.
With the match seemingly headed for a goalless draw, Tarumbwa reacted swiftly to a counter attack by Highlanders, which came moments after Ariel Sibanda, in goals for Highlanders, had made a crucial save in a one-on-one situation.
“It’s one of those rare goals. The boy did not shoot at goal but he passed the ball into the net,” said an elated Cosmos Zulu, the Highlanders’ technical director.
“I nearly collapsed on the bench because of the missed chances. We were expecting a harvest of goals, but the boys did not come to the party.”
Bosso should have gone ahead as early as the 14th minute, but Knox Mutizwa’s header missed the upright by inches.
On the hour mark, Valentine Ndaba could have capped a fine day with a gem of a goal but his blistering shot was punched back into play by the ‘keeper into the path of King Nadolo, who came in for winger Rahman Kutsanzira in the 50th minute.
Nadolo though chose to dribble past a Buffaloes defender instead of shooting home.
“Sometimes the game of football is unfair, we had contained Highlanders and this celebration ought to have been ours,” said Buffaloes gaffer Saul Chaminuka.
Teams
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, P. Muduhwa, T. Ngulube, E. Mudzingwa, R. Kutsanzira (K. Nadolo, 50th min), N, Masuku (S, Munawa, 72nd min), V. Ndaba, R. Matema (G. Makaruse. 80th min), B. Kangwa, O. Tarumbwa, K. Mutizwa
Buffaloes: B. Mwandimutsira, P. Chandisaita, K. Mwaramba, S. Nkata, K. Chigwida, P. Matizanadzo (P. Thembani. 84th min), T. Jefrey, J. Muzokomba, L. Katongomara, J. Jambo, F. Banda (R. Mwinga, 75th min). The Chronicle
