Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 1-1 Yadah
HIGHLANDERS were left frustrated after throwing away a first-half lead to draw 1-1 with relegation rivals Yadah Stars at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Bosso looked in control when Reason Sibanda struck midway through the first-half, but they let the initiative slip and Jerry Chipangura came off the bench to rescue a vital point for the Miracle Boys just six minutes after his introduction.
“It was a very good game. In the first-half we had lots of control,” Highlanders coach Pieter de Jongh said.
“But then we had an injury to Andrew Mbeba, who was the captain and leader on the pitch. We still created chances, even in the 94th minute, which we should have buried.”
Highlanders had dominated the early exchanges. Mvelo Khoza’s corner found Melikhaya Ncube, who volleyed over, while Tanaka Chikumba sent a header wide from Shingai Masukuta’s cross.
Sibanda saw his first attempt blocked in the 19th minute before finally breaking through in the 23rd, latching onto Ncube’s pass and calmly finishing past Taimon Mvula.
Bosso nearly doubled their advantage in first half stoppage time when Nigerian forward Benjamin Adeogun drilled into the side netting with the unmarked Never Rauzhi screaming for a cut-back. That proved a costly miss.
Yadah came out stronger after the break, helped by Highlanders’ decision to sit back. Maxwell Jongwe’s changes swung the momentum, and Chipangura punished hesitant defending with a neat finish in the 69th minute.
“It was a difficult game, Highlanders came at us, but we also took over in the second-half,” Jongwe said.
“They had one or two chances, but we adjusted and took control. With a bit of luck, either side could have won.”
Highlanders still had opportunities late on. Prince Ndlovu forced a fine save from Mvula, while Brighton Ncube spurned a clear chance inside the box.
At the other end, Chipangura nearly completed the turnaround in the 89th minute, only to drag his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
“Our goalkeeper kept us in it,” added Jongwe. “He saved us, but we also had chances where we rushed things. We could have won the game too.”
The draw leaves both teams stuck near the drop zone, Highlanders ruing missed chances and Yadah grateful for a point that keeps them alive in the survival battle.
Teams
Highlanders: A. Sibanda (gk), M. Khoza, T. Dube, A. Ndlovu, M. Ncube, R. Sibanda, M. Sibanda (P. Ndlovu, 65), A. Mbeba (B. Mlotshwa, 46), M. Mushore, N. Rauzhi (T. Muvuti, 81), B. Odeogun (B. Ncube, 81)
Yadah: T. Mvula (gk), A. Makopa (S. Mewali, 74), A. Gwatidzo, E. Rusike, R. Ncube (D. Mlilo, 46), I. Muchaneka, E. Chitauro, T. Chikumba (J. Chipangura, 63), S. Masukuta, K. Nadolo (A. Dzingai, 63), T. Vereta
