Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Highlanders 1-1 Dynamos
HIGHLANDERS shrugged off a week of financial uncertainty and a disrupted build-up to hold Dynamos in a pulsating Battle of Zimbabwe showdown before a sold-out Barbourfields crowd yesterday.
The giants shared the spoils after Benjamin Adeogun’s first-half penalty had given Bosso the lead before Frank Agyemang restored parity for the visitors in the second half.
The result took Dynamos to 30 points, 10 behind leaders Scottland, while Highlanders moved to within a point of their rivals.
For Bosso, the performance carried added significance after players downed tools for a day during the week over financial issues.
Both sides started cautiously, wary of conceding first in a fixture where mistakes are rarely forgiven.
But as the noise from the packed stands intensified, so did the tempo.
Bosso’s Mongameli Tshuma again proved a menace, just as he had been in the reverse fixture in Harare.
Once he settled into the game, he repeatedly troubled the Dynamos defence and eventually forced the breakthrough.
Towards the end of the first half, he collected a loose ball, surged past Isaac Landu and Clive Mandivei before the latter brought him down inside the box.
Referee Brighton Chimene pointed straight to the spot and Adeogun made no mistake.
Forced onto the front foot, Dynamos searched for an immediate response but could not find a way through the
Highlanders defence before the break.
They returned with greater purpose after halftime.
Then Perfect Chikwende took matters into his own hands.
He won possession on the left flank, skipped past a cluster of Highlanders defenders and squared for Agyemang, who
fired home with his right foot to level matters.
The goal shifted momentum towards the visitors, who enjoyed their best spell of the game as they searched for a
winner.
But Highlanders remained resilient and ensured the contest finished level, just as the first meeting between the two
sides had done at Rufaro in March.
Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe was satisfied with the point.
“Of course, it’s a precious point away from home. I will take that point,” said Mangombe.
“I think we did our best, with the way the opponents wanted to win this game.
“We were unlucky not to score a second goal after we equalised.
“The match was tough. Highlanders wanted it so much and got the opening goal through that penalty. But we never
lost hope. We kept probing and eventually got the point.
“I would like to salute the boys for their performance and effort. That’s the fighting spirit we always tell them about.”
Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari praised his players for producing such a performance despite the challenges they faced during the week.
“Considering the preparation that we had, the boys showed character. I give credit to them because they fought to the end,” said Mwaruwari.
“One side dominated the first half and they dominated parts of the second half.
“We didn’t prepare so well. The boys definitely downed tools for a day.
“Can you imagine, off for a day and then you come and perform like that? That’s why I’m saying credit to them.
“They fought all the way.
“As I always say, it’s a process. They are slowly trying to understand my philosophy.
“It will take time but I am sure they now understand what I want. Going forward, hopefully we can reinforce some areas that are missing.”
Meanwhile at Chahwanda Stadium Hardrock bounced back from last week’s setback against Scottland in emphatic
fashion, thrashing ZPC Kariba 4-0 at Chahwanda Stadium yesterday to keep their title challenge firmly alive.
Washington Navaya struck twice to take his tally into double figures for the season, while Neliswa Dlamini and Donald Mudadi were also on target as the miners showed no signs of lingering disappointment from their defeat at Rufaro.
The victory keeps Hardrock within touching distance of the leading pack and underlines their determination to remain part of the championship conversation.
