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Chipangano thought they were on course to hold Highlanders at Emagumeni, only for their world to collapse in the 78th minute. Super substitute Beavan Chikaka who had come on for Graham Ncube four minutes earlier was the home fans’ hero.
“I am so happy to have scored at home and I dedicate the goal to our supporters who have been behind us and promise them that the goals will indeed continue coming,” said an elated Chikaka after the match.
The game itself started at a slow pace as Hwange seemed to apply the Chelsea strategy of trying by all means to minimise damage by literally putting a “bus” in front of their goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda as evidenced by having six defence-minded players.
Highlanders, known for their hunger for goals, controlled proceedings, forcing Hwange to play in their own half but the final touch was always their biggest undoing.
Tennant Chilumba’s boys, however, had a better share of the proceedings in the crucial midfield area but were running out of ideas whenever going forward. They looked dangerous though when veteran striker Gilbert Zulu was in possession. He played well.
Bosso could have opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Graham brilliantly set up Simon Munawa who, however, shot weakly at a drawn-out Sibanda. Munawa had a below-par performance by his own standards and was to be substituted in the 66th minute for young Arnold Ndiweni.
Munawa could have put Bosso ahead again in the 34th minute but his first-time screamer missed the target by inches with the Highlanders fans already up on their feet.
The first half was to end with no goal scored by either side.
The Hwange coach made some positional changes for the second half which still showed that all they wanted was to reduce damage, which they knew was just but imminent.
“Bosso played well but I think we gave them so much room in the midfield especially in the second half,” said Chilumba.
The second segment though had little to write home about until the last quarter in which the Hwange world literally collapsed in front of them.
With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Kelvin Kaindu’s magic touch came into the fore.
Graham was pulled out for Chikaka and four minutes later, a fast improving Bruce Kangwa flighted a cross from the left flank and Chikaka finished it off with a brilliant flashing header that gave Sibanda no chance and the stadium erupted into a ball of joy while the tension on the field of play heightened.
As Highlanders were charging in search of another goal, another substitute, Masimba Mambare, was hit by Daniel Kamunenga in an-ooff the ball incident and the out-of-sorts referee Mlindeli Ndebele, who for the better part of the match was seeing play from a different world from the rest of the crowd, red-carded an innocent Aaron Katebe. The decision was correct yes, but the card was given to the wrong man.
As the Zambian was walking out, he too showed a total lack of discipline, something Hwange players are not known for, by poking assistant referee, Salani Ncube, and his coach Chilumba rushed in to warn him and again Ndebele came charging and for reasons still known to him, gave Chilumba his marching orders as well.
“I was cooling tempers down and I really don’t know why he asked me to leave the pitch,” said Chilumba.
After the match Highlanders coach Kaindu praised his charges for a good performance but expressed disappointment that they did not score as many goals as they would have wanted.
“It was a good match. Unfortunately, we scored just a single goal. We did manage though to put our opponents under pressure,” said Kaindu, adding that they never panicked even as the game wore on with no goals as they knew that a goal would inevitably come.
Highlanders play Shabanie Mine at Maglas Stadium on Wednesday.
Teams
Highlanders: A Sibanda, B Tshuma, I Mapuranga, E Mudzingwa, M Maphosa, B Kangwa, M Ncube, S Munawa (A Ndiweni 66th minute), P Moyo, H Masuku (M Mambare 57th minute), G Ncube (B Chikaka 74th minute)
Unused subs: M Diya, Knox Mutizwa, H Moyo
Hwange: T Sibanda, E Chipeta, D Boriwondo, O Mpofu (O Lunga 83rd minute), R Chinyengetere, G Zulu (N Siwela 75th minute), F Zvikumbawire, D Kamunhenga, W Mhango, G Ndlovu, A Katebe
Unused subs: P Mhari, E Rusike, T Sibelo, A Tavariswa.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter