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Oscar Rusenga in Triangle
Triangle ……………………………..0
Highlanders ……………………… 0
HIGHLANDERS celebrated as if they had won a cup final at the end of this exciting and evenly contested Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match which ended in a goalless draw at Gibbo yesterday.
Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu was surprised as the Highlanders players celebrated when his charges, on the other hand, looked dejected after full-time as the two sides shared the spoils again after last weekend’s 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at Barbourfields.
“This is football and teams have different objectives but it’s quite surprising that they are celebrating after a draw against us,” said Kaindu.
Highlanders started the game looking nervous and they were more defensive in the opening minutes, a clear indication that they were avoiding to concede an early goal which cost them maximum points in the reverse fixture at Barbourfields last Sunday.
Triangle could have taken the lead in the 20th minute but Hillary Bakacheza’s shot forced a smart save from Njabulo Nyoni after a quick exchange of passes with Marlvin Gaki.
Bakacheza came back to haunt the Highlanders defence three minutes later but his pin-point cross was headed just inches over the bar by the giant Zambian international Makundika Sakala. The visitors finally got their first real chance in the 23rd minute when Bruce Kangwa overlapped but his rasping effort was tipped over the bar by the home side’s goal-minder Ashley Reyners.
Pasca Manhanga, who scored in last week’s 1-1 draw at Barbourfields, missed two chances within two minutes, first “passing the ball” straight to the keeper with his weaker left foot before pushing his effort wide from six yards in the 26th and 28th minute respectively after two brilliant set ups by Bakacheza.
Highlanders striker Thomas Chideu thought he had given his side the lead in the 35th minute but was put under pressure by Triangle captain Jimmy Tigere and saw his effort shaving the bottom of the post.
Highlanders defender Teenage Hadebe made sure both teams went to the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0 as he cleared Sakala’s goal-bound effort off the line after an overlapping move by Tigere who set up the latter in the 42nd minute.
Chances were far and few between in the second half as Triangle’s game-plan was changed after three early substitutions. First it was a tactical change when Nhamo Lameck was pulled off for Cabby Kamhapa in the 38th minute.
Former Highlanders defender Dumisani Ndlovu got injured in the 47th minute and was helped off the pitch before goalkeeper Reyners was taken to hospital because of illness. Chasten Ngondonga and Ronald Mudimu were introduced for the pair respectively.
Man-of-the-match Bakacheza was the most notable player in Triangle’s attacking third and forced another save from Nyoni who was the busiest of the goalkeepers in the 57th minute.
“We made three changes, two of them forced substitutions and all within 50 minutes of play and that really affected our game-plan but we had to soldier on,” said Triangle mentor Kaindu after the match.
Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu was happy with the result away from home but felt the result could have gone his side’s way if they had taken the few chance they created.
“We should have finished the game in the first half, we created four chances but we failed to convert them. It’s good that we managed to keep a clean sheet but we now need to convert our defending to scoring if we are to win games.
“It’s really hurting to keep on saying it will come, I feel it’s high time we start collecting maximum points,” said Mafu.
Teams
Triangle: A. Reyners (R. Mudimu 50th minute), B. Juwayeyi, N. Meson, D. Ndlovu (C. Ngondonga 47th minute), J. Tigere, T. Chipunza, M. Gaki, P. Manhanga, H. Bakacheza, M. Sakala, N. Lameck (C. Kamhapa 38th minute).
Highlanders: N. Nyoni, W. Chingodza, T. Chideu (R. Kutsanzira 85th minute), E. Muzanenhamo (K. Nadolo 76th minute), B. Kangwa, N. Masuku, T. Hadebe, K. Mutizwa, F. Chindungwe, D. Sibanda, M. Honest.
Online Reporter