Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira in BULAWAYO
Highlanders………………………………….(1) 1
Simba Bhora……………………………..…..(0) 1
HIGHLANDERS’ season continues to be defined by one stubborn statistic – a draw.
Bosso were held to a 12th Castle Lager Premier Soccer League draw of the season yesterday on yet another afternoon that followed a familiar script.
They started slowly, spent the second half on the front foot and, despite creating enough chances to win, were left wondering how three points slipped away again.
Blessed Ndereki fired Simba Bhora ahead in the 29th minute after racing onto Adrian Silla’s defence-splitting pass before Royn Nyamono rescued a point with a superb strike from outside the box.
The scoreline told only part of the story.
Goalkeeper William Thole frustrated Highlanders with a string of outstanding saves before finally being beaten by Nyamono’s moment of brilliance as Simba Bhora held firm under sustained second-half pressure.
Highlanders began brightly and should have taken the lead midway through the opening half.
Benjamin Adeogun combined neatly with Isaac Ngoma before seeing his low effort brilliantly saved by Thole.
Moments later, Ngoma burst through on goal after capitalising on a defensive lapse, only for the Simba Bhora goalkeeper to deny him again.
Those missed opportunities proved costly when Silla unlocked the Highlanders defence with a perfectly weighted pass that sent Ndereki clear, and the forward calmly beat Aron Ngwenya to put the visitors in front.
Benjani Mwaruwari reshaped his side in the 59th minute, introducing Kudakwashe Mahachi, Mongameli Tshuma and Reason Sibanda for Luckmore Mutumbi, Never Rauzhi and Benjamin Adeogun.
The triple substitution transformed Highlanders, shifting the momentum firmly in their favour as Bosso pinned Simba Bhora deep inside their own half.
The pressure eventually told when Nyamono collected a neat lay-off from Rauzhi before curling a superb strike beyond Thole from outside the box.
Andrew Mbeba twice went close from free-kicks, forcing another save from Thole before sending a second effort narrowly over the crossbar as Bosso searched relentlessly for a winner.
Instead, Highlanders were left with another point and another reminder of the fine margins that have come to define their campaign.
Coach Benjani admitted his side had let two valuable points slip.
“We dropped two points. Simba Bhora had a good plan and they outclassed us in the first half.
“Today we didn’t play normally and for the past three or four games we have been conceding. Sometimes when you concede, the chances of winning become less so we need to work on that with our defence.
“We improved towards the end of the first half and in the second half we scored a good goal. From there we started showing some glimpses, although we still didn’t show enough.”
Simba Bhora coach Mandla Mpofu was satisfied with the point.
“It was a good game playing a team that has found their rhythm. Despite coming away with a point, I think we did well. I think the fans enjoyed the game.”
