peter
Langton Nyakwenda in Kariba
ZPC Kariba FC 0 – 0 Highlanders FC
LUKE MASOMERE loves to call himself the Doctor of Football, while some of his fans call him Vahombe and he lived up to the billing as he ended Highlanders’ winning streak at Nyamhunga Stadium yesterday.
Bosso went into the match on a six-match winning streak. The result saw Bosso’s lead at the top reduced to five points after second placed Ngezi Platinum Stars edged Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 at Baobab. Yes of course, Bosso have never beaten ZPC Kariba in the resort town but credit should go to Masomere and his boys who put up a spirited performance
. The hosts could have grabbed all the three points but Ariel Sibanda stood between them and a memorable win. The veteran goalie produced the save of the day soon after the restart when he dived to the right to save Forster Dhemere’s close range effort. ZPC Kariba also missed a number of chances and Masomere thought his team dropped two vital points.
“Yes, we were playing against the best team in the league at the moment but we had also prepared well for this game. It was a game of two halves, first half it didn’t work out well for us as Highlanders dominated. But in the second half we came out stronger. We created more chances and we could have scored one or two goals but such is the nature of the game.”
Masomere made a double substitution at the resumption of the second half, introducing Samuel Makawa and Salif Cheya and the move changed the complexion of the game. ZPC Kariba seized control of the game and Bosso were under siege for most of the second half with Makawa causing all sorts of problems for their defenders.
However, ZPC Kariba’s lack of precision upfront was their greatest undoing. In some instances Makawa’s neat crosses found no takers in the box. Masomere has now been in charge of six games since his appointment on June 30. He has three wins, two draws and one loss.
“So far so good, the team is moving in the right direction. We are fighting relegation so we have to keep picking up points,” said Masomere.
ZPC Kariba are now on 24 points from 18 matches and still in the relegation mix following wins by Sheasham and Simba Bhora yesterday. But their style was admired by coach of the moment Baltemar Brito. The Brazilian, who was named Coach of the Month for July, was happy with “a point gained.”
“I don’t have to blame anyone, in football you win, you draw or you lose. I have to congratulate my boys. This is a very tough league and you can’t win all the games. For us it’s a point gained because every point is crucial since we want to win the title.”
Bosso registered a fifth clean sheet and once again cemented their credentials as serious title contenders.
League championships are usually won by teams with a strong defence. Bosso’s back four of Peter Muduhwa, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Andrew Mbeba and Archford Faira has done well so far. The Bulawayo giants have conceded four goals in 18 matches. “Football here in Zimbabwe is not easy so the less goals we concede the better because we want the championship.”
Bosso had their own few chances especially in the first half. They also won crucial freekicks in the second half which were taken by Andrew Mbeba. However, in most situations their forwards failed to breach the ZPC Kariba defence that was well marshaled by the experienced duo of Boid Mutukure and Ian Nekati. Kauya Katuruturu also featured the returning Raphael Manuvire who also came close with a well taken freekick in the first half. Substitute Nigel Chipunza also came close to breaking the deadlock when he unleashed a 20 metre drive that narrowly missed the target in the 78th minute. Masomere then threw in speedy winger Leeroy Murape for Moses Demera in the dying stages of the game but still the deadlock was not broken. — Twitter: @LangtonGuraz.
Online Reporter