Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HE came, he saw, he struck TWICE.
Highlanders striker Reason Sibanda turned The Heart Stadium into his own playground on Saturday, netting a deadly double that floored Yadah and gave Bosso their first away win of the season.
It was cold, clinical… and personal.
The 2-0 victory was sweet for Bosso.
But, for Sibanda, it was redemption.
Just last year, the pint-sized forward was shipped out on loan to Bulawayo Chiefs.
Many thought he would fade into the PSL shadows.
Not Reason.
He returned, reborn, and now he’s leaving defenders battling with nightmares.
“I told my teammates this morning that I scored my first PSL goal here last season,” Sibanda told Zimpapers Sports Hub after the game.
“I had a feeling I’d score again… and I’m happy I even got an extra one!”
And what a brace it was.
His weekend fireworks pushed him to five goals this season, just three behind red-hot TelOne striker Washington Navaya.
But there’s more to this story than just stats.
Last season, Sibanda was just a rookie tossed into the relegation fire at Chiefs, the same ground, The Heart, was where he grabbed his first PSL goal. They lost that day. He cried that day.
Fast-forward 12 months: different jersey, different destiny.
“This is just my second season in the top-flight,” he said.
“When I was loaned out, I felt like I wasn’t good enough. It broke me mentally.
“We fought relegation and couldn’t survive. I had doubts. I was in distress.”
But he didn’t fold.
Instead, Reason doubled his hustle. He worked in silence. And guess who was watching?
Reason’s boots are doing a lot of talking.
“I set a target for myself this season, double figures,” Sibanda told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“I know it’s not easy. I still have a lot to learn. But this time I’m focused. I trust the process.”
His form has helped Highlanders climb to fourth on the log with 17 points, just five behind surprise pacesetters MWOS.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu.
The Bosso gaffer saw enough to bring him back, and now, he’s proving to be a masterstroke.
Sibanda is now Bosso’s frontman and, with former Golden Boot winner Lynoth Chikuhwa gone to Scottland, there’s a big void to fill.
Coach Kaindu knows it.
“I’m charmed by what Sibanda did for us,” Kaindu said.
“Away wins have been hard to come by, but we finally found our groove.
“Every team has its targets. For us to reach ours, we need to stay consistent.”
