Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 2-1 Hunters
HIGHLANDERS finally found the goals they had been searching for, but coach Benjani Mwaruwari walked away from Barbourfields yesterday more relieved than satisfied.
Bosso ended a run of two successive goalless draws with a 2-1 victory over Hunters, yet the performance left more questions than answers for a side still searching for consistency.
Marvin Sibanda gave Highlanders the perfect start when he struck inside the opening two minutes, but instead of settling the hosts, the early goal exposed familiar problems that allowed Hunters back into the contest.
For long periods, it was the visitors who looked the more organised side.
Hunters settled quickly after the early setback and began controlling possession, stretching the Highlanders defence and forcing the hosts into uncomfortable defensive work. Bosso struggled to establish any rhythm in midfield and often found themselves chasing the game despite leading on the scoreboard.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya proved crucial as Highlanders weathered sustained pressure. He produced a number of important interventions, including a comfortable save from a dangerous Tadiwanashe Huni free-kick, as Hunters continued to threaten.
At the break, Highlanders still held a 1-0 advantage, but it was a lead that flattered them.
Hunters had created enough opportunities to believe they could get something from the match, and they carried that belief into the second half. The pattern remained largely unchanged after the restart.
Highlanders lacked fluency while Hunters continued to play with purpose. The visitors moved the ball confidently but repeatedly failed to convert promising situations into goals.
Bosso found breathing space in the 63rd minute when Benjamin Adeogun doubled the lead. It was a timely strike for the hosts, who were struggling to gain control of the contest. Yet even with a two-goal cushion, Highlanders never looked entirely comfortable.
Hunters refused to go away, and their persistence was rewarded in the 90th minute when substitute Eli Elunga reduced the deficit to set up a tense finish. The visitors pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Highlanders held on to collect all three points and end their recent frustrations.
The final whistle brought relief around Barbourfields, though Benjani made it clear he was not celebrating the performance.
“I am happy to collect maximum points. We did not perform well apart from scoring. Sometimes you have to play ugly and win football games,” said Mwaruwari.
It was an honest assessment of a display that lacked cohesion and authority despite delivering the desired result.
Hunters coach Nesbert Saruchera felt his side had paid heavily for defensive mistakes and wastefulness in front of goal.
“We conceded soft goals despite the overall good performance from the boys. We missed a lot of chances and conceded soft goals,” he said.
For Highlanders, the biggest positive was ending their scoring drought and returning to winning ways. But while the three points will ease immediate pressure, the performance suggested there is still plenty of work to be done if Bosso are to emerge as genuine contenders in the weeks ahead.
