Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS coach, Benjani Mwaruwari, is increasingly becoming frustrated by his side’s inability to convert chances and kill off games.
This was evident in Bosso’s 0-1 loss away to TelOne at Ascot on Saturday were they dominated the game but had nothing to show for it at the end of the day.
The Bulawayo giants had the lion’s share of possession but struggled to break down the Wifi Boys defence.
On Saturday, Bosso started with Brighton Ncube and Nigerian, Benjamin Adeogun, upfront.
While the pair had decent supply from a midfield led by the impressive Rainsome Pavari and Mongameli Tshuma, they could not break the Gweru side.
Benjani threw in Reason Sibanda, Prince Ndlovu and Zambian Issac Ngoma but neither provided the cutting edge needed to get Bosso across the line.
Bosso were then punished by a Chelsea Nyakope sucker punch minutes before the end.
Benjani could not hide his frustration after suffering his second loss of the campaign.
“Losing in that manner is always difficult, we had a lot of chances that we couldn’t convert, we controlled the match in the first half but going forward in that final third, we didn’t have that desire, that high tempo,” he said.
This has been Highlanders’ story this season where they have not been able to put away the chances they have been creating.
It is becoming a trend and Benjani and his lieutenants need to fix it.
The former champions have scored the fewest number of goals among the teams in the top half of the table with just 12 goals in 16 matches.
Interestingly, the Highlanders technical department has three former top strikers – Benjani, assistant coach Mkhokheli Dube and welfare manager, Zenzo Moyo.
These are men who know that strikers win you matches.
While Bosso have been reasonably solid at the back, the coaches will know they need more firepower upfront.
Only then can Highlanders have some measure of consistency in their game and possibly challenge for honours.
As the season winds towards the mid-season break where teams will have a chance to reinforce their squads, Benjani is demanding for more from his strikers.
He wants them to be ruthless.
“Sometimes when you play good football and you do not show the intention to hurt teams, that’s what happens.
“As a team we worked hard but it is a lesson to my boys that when you get chances you need to punish teams otherwise in games like this you will always be disappointed,” he said.
