adminInnocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders……………………………………..(2) 2
FC Platinum………………………………………(0) 1
HIGHLANDERS finally broke their nine-year winless streak against FC Platinum in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League when they overcame the champions at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Bosso’s Portuguese coach, Balmater Brito’s tactics outwitted Norman Mapeza with some splendid counter attacking football in the first half.
As someone who once worked under the shrewd Jose Mourinho, Brito seemed to have applied one of the templates from the top gaffer who also became known for ‘‘parking the bus’’ in the crucial stages of the match.
And that’s exactly what Highlanders did yesterday.
Bosso were solid at the back and ruthless in attack in the first half, scoring their two goals through Stanley Ngala and Peter Mudhuwa.
Ngala opened the scoring in the 27th minute after latching onto a loose ball which he chipped over FCP Platinum keeper Wallace Magalane to put Bosso on the ascendancy.
Mudhuwa grabbed the second in the 34th minute heading home a corner kick from inside the box.
Walter Musona volleyed home FC Platinum’s consolation six minutes after the break, but Bosso hung on to the lead thwarting all the miners’ raids.
Brito said they were happy to allow FC Platinum to keep the ball and catch them on the break.
“They have quality players and they know how to play. They have a coach who has spent a long time at the club. They came here and kept possession of the ball. We felt comfortable with them on the ball. What is important was to get the points, and it didn’t matter how.
“For us the three points are more important. If we want to achieve our goals, we need to understand how to get points from teams like FC Platinum that have quality in terms of players,” said Brito.
Mapeza was happy with his side’s performance despite the loss.
“Life goes on. This is the third game of the season. This happened last season, game number three we lost to Bulawayo Chiefs and there is no difference. But performance wise we played well. We played good football.
“We did not panic. I am happy my boys kept playing football. There are some moments l thought we could have done better, but l told my boys in the dressing room that l am proud of them,” said Mapeza.
Online Reporter