Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields
Highlanders 1- 0 Scottland
WHEN Highlanders needed a performance to reignite belief, they delivered one full of courage, discipline and conviction as they edged Scottland in a pulsating Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Barbourfields yesterday.
For Scottland, it was chance missed to extend their lead in the Castle Lager Premiership title race on a day both Hardrock and Dynamos dropped points.
But for Bosso, it was a victory that meant far more than three points.
The celebrations that greeted the final whistle spoke volumes, with players and supporters embracing after a hard-fought triumph over a Scottland side whose defence had gone for 10 league matches without conceding and achieved a 9-match winning streak.
All that ended yesterday.
Highlanders became the first team to breach that backline in 11 matches, making the result all the more significant.
The day also belonged to Mongameli Tshuma. In recent weeks the talented midfielder had found himself under increasing scrutiny from sections of the Bosso faithful.
Yesterday, he answered his critics in the best possible fashion, producing a tireless display and laying on the decisive assist for Benjamin Adeogun’s winner.
Coach Benjani Mwaruwari had challenged the Highlanders faithful to turn up in their numbers and they responded, creating the familiar Barbourfields atmosphere that has so often inspired the club.
Their players responded in kind with one of their most complete performances of the season.
The contest burst into life from the opening whistle, with both sides creating chances inside the opening five minutes. Tshuma, at the heart of almost everything Highlanders did well, won a free-
kick after being brought down by Khama Billiat. Instead of floating the resulting set-piece into the area, Mbeba picked out Tshuma on the edge of the box, but Scottland reacted quickly to smother his effort.
Scottland immediately threatened at the other end, where goalkeeper Aron Ngwenya produced a magnificent save with his feet to deny Billiat after the forward had raced clear on goal.
The early exchanges belonged largely to Tshuma, whose energy and movement continually unsettled the visitors. Highlanders pressed aggressively and looked the more adventurous side, while Scottland struggled to settle into their usual rhythm.
Ngwenya was again called into action midway through the half, pulling off another excellent save to keep out a dangerous Knowledge Musona free-kick as the visitors searched for a breakthrough.
Just before the interval Highlanders finally found the moment they had been searching for. Tshuma slipped Adeogun through on goal and the striker made no mistake, breaking Scottland’s remarkable defensive streak and sending Barbourfields into celebration.
Scottland emerged with greater urgency after the restart and nearly levelled when Kwakhe Thwala ghosted behind the Bosso defence to meet a Musona cross, only to fail to make clean contact. Moses Shidolo then fired wide as the visitors continued to pile on the pressure.
The second half increasingly became the Aron Ngwenya show. The Highlanders goalkeeper produced a series of outstanding saves that drew thunderous applause from the home supporters.
Highlanders remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Tshuma found himself with a promising opportunity just after the hour mark but could not make it count. The hosts continued to threaten, with Reason nearly doubling the advantage in the 70th minute before the chance slipped away. Moments later, Never Rauzhi was picked out by Tshuma but saw his effort blocked by the Scottland defence.
Scottland’s task became even more difficult when Kevin Moyo was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card, allowing Highlanders to see out the closing stages with growing confidence.
After the final whistle, Mwaruwari praised both his players and the opposition.
“We know Scottland is a good team but today my boys managed to match them.”
Scottland coach Norman Mapeza admitted his side had failed to make the most of the opportunities they created.
“We need to convert the half chances that we create. You look at the goal they scored, it came from a half chance,” said Mapeza.
For Highlanders, however, this was a day to savour. Their supporters had answered Benjani’s call, Tshuma silenced his critics with an inspired performance, Ngwenya stood tall when his side needed him most, and Bosso produced the kind of spirited display that suggests brighter days lie ahead.
Bongani Ndlovu