Highlanders ……………..0 Jomo Cosmos…………………. (1) 1
Highlanders continued with their now normal way of life when they fell to a solitary strike by Siyabonga Nhlophe in an international friendly against visiting Jomo Cosmos from South Africa in a match played before a paltry crowd at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Coming into the match Bosso, who have not won a match in 720 minutes of football, needed to win the friendly in order to boost confidence in their fans but that was never to be. Now the fans are even more worried and perhaps the team now needs divine intervention.
Ezenkosi were the first to let their intentions known after eight minutes when Katlego Lake’s effort from a Bamuza Sono’s pass went wide. Highlanders defenders were caught flat-footed.
In the 14th minute, a penalty appeal by Highlanders was rightly turned down by referee Tabani Mnkantjo. Bosso felt Francis Kanda had been brought down by Tshepo Malato in the box. Mnkantjo was about five metres away from the incident and the Bosso striker appeared to have been weaker in a tussle.
Bosso then had their first raid on Cosmos area in the 17th minute when steely defender, Innocent Mapuranga’s bullet from just outside the box was deflected for a corner.
He was however guilty of not being composed seconds later when he received a stray ball from the resultant corner kick, taking a tame shot that went wide. Nhlophe’s shot in the 22nd minute missed the target.
Jomo Cosmos continued making some good methodical build-ups but their midfield seemed to be frustrated by national team rookie, Eric Mudzingwa, who had a good game up until his unexpected substitution after an hour. Bosso’s strikers were not complimenting his efforts, especially Takunda Mapara who had a nightmarish afternoon before being duly substituted by his under fire coach Mohammed Fathi after just 30 minutes.
The visitors hit the back of the net in style after 37 minutes through Nhlophe.
Gassou Diarra won possession deep in the middle of the field and raced towards goal and with the Highlanders defence back peddling he sent through a defence splitting pass that found a charging Nhlophe who did not make a mistake, beating an advancing Ariel Sibanda all systems out.
Both teams upped their game in the second stanza with Highlanders having an early edge though, especially young Joel Ngodzo, who impressed Cosmos coach and owner, Jomo Sono.
In the 54th minute, Ngodzo received a pass from Gift Lunga, who is enjoying his play, and made a solo run, in the process leaving Tshepo Moloto for dead. His final execution though from a tight angle was saved by Ezenkosi goalkeeper Abisai Shingayamwe.
“I liked that youngman who was putting on jersey number 18,” said Sono after the match.
Highlanders then made a treble substitution in the 60th minute, bringing in Zephania Ngodzo, for Brighton Choto, Bruce Kangwa for Rahman Kutsanzira, Protasho Kabwe for Eric Mudzingwa.
“Highlanders gave us a good practice session, we enjoyed the game,” said Sono soon after the game.
Vice-President John Landa Nkomo was the guest of honour and the club gave him a replica Highlanders jersey with his name at the back.
Teams:
Highlanders:
A Sibanda, B Dube, I Mapuranga, G Lunga, B Choto (Z Ngodzo, 60th ), E Mudzingwa (P Kabwe, 60th) R Kutsanzira (B Kangwa, 60th), T Mapara (A Mbaiwa, 30th) F Kanda (C Tsodzo, 70th) M Mupera, J Ngodzo (W Ndiweni,74th)
Jomo Cosmos:
A Shingayamwe, L Kaimbe (T Mangato 68th), L Mhlathe (M Ndwandwe,81st) B Sono (B Theletsane,65th) EL Samb (T Shabalala 89th) S Nhlophe, (P Noqazo 81st) K Lake (G Modabi, 67th ), S Diabate (K Matlopa, 77th) G Diarra, T Moloto G Shiloto
