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Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Arenel Movers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
THE silence in the stadium after the final whistle best captured what a frustrating afternoon it turned out to be for the Highlanders faithful, who perhaps believed they would get three points yesterday.
Arenel Movers celebrated the point in a goalless Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Bulawayo derby at Barbourfields.
The result meant Highlanders have dropped points in all the THREE Bulawayo derbies in the first half of the season.
The nil all stalemate saw Bosso go level on points with a resurgent Manica Diamonds as both are now on 19 points.
Bosso reclaimed their top spot owing to a superior goal difference.
Before yesterday’s derby tie, Bosso had lost to Chicken Inn (1-2) and drew with Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1.
Kaindu admitted they are finding it difficult when playing against Bulawayo teams.
“It’s always difficult in a moment like this. It’s not a point gained. I think we have dropped three points in this game. I feel this is a game we should have won. We have not done well in terms of playing our local teams.
“We have drawn twice and lost once. We started very low and we were slightly better in the second half. We tried to get back into the game in the second half. What we have noticed is every team that is drawing with us is celebrating. I think most teams will play for a draw and they will be happy with that,” said Kaindu.
Arenel coach Farai Tawachera was happy with the point.
“It’s not easy to play Highlanders, we need to really think into the game. The plan was simple, let them play and we play and when we get the ball let’s hit them where it matters the most, we could have burrier it first half.
“There were so many chances but we couldn’t score, they were a bit hesitant, our decision making in the final third was not really good, but we are a new team we are trying to get our combinations, it takes time.
“We wanted to frustrate them and around the last 20 minutes we managed to open them up. We need to be a bit reserved when playing against Highlanders. It’s a precious point to us considering that in the past two games we had lost so we needed to bounce back,” said Tawachera.
Yesterday was the first meeting between Arenel and Bosso and it did not produce any goals in a game that the Sweet Boys goalkeeper Aron Ngwenya resorted to match delay antics that did not go down well with the black and white army.
The two teams observed a moment of silence in honour of the late Bheka “Mahii” Sibanda, who was Arenel’s vice chairman and also a popular Highlanders life member.
Bosso threatened inside the first five minutes through Prince Ndlovu but his shot went wide.
Raphael Pitisi was again in goal for Highlanders in the absence of first choice goalminder Ariel Sibanda, who is still recovering from injury.
Moments later, Crispen Machisi won a corner for Arenel but they could not make the most of it.
Bosso had a penalty call turned down in the 14th minute after Grant Chingwenhese appeared to have brought down Ndlovu inside the box but the referee would have none of it.
Arenel got their first real chance of the game in the 17th minute through Chrispen Machisi who pounced on a loose ball inside the box and unleashed a good shot which Pitisi managed punch away to safety.
With both teams in search of the opener, Ndlovu showed his skill as he dribbled past the Arenel defence but was brought down on the edge of the box by Machisi.
Bosso’s set piece specialist Andrew Mbeba stood up to take the free-kick.
His effort was low and was met by Brighton Ncube who failed to connect well with it and an alert Ngwenya easily collected the ball to see his side regroup.
With nothing much to write home about in the first stanza, it went to the break goalless.
In the second half, both coaches, trusted their starting 11s to deliver with no half time changes. However, changes followed a bit later. Five minutes into the second half, Bosso managed to force two corner kicks which however, were not fruitful.
It would go on to end as a goalless stalemate.
Teams:
Arenel Movers
Aron Ngwenya (gk), Kudzaishe Dzingwe, Brian Jaravaza, Authur Ndlovu, Polite Mwenda, Grant Chingwenhese, Chilumbyo Munkuli Grey Kufandada, 84mins), Zibusiso Dambo, Timothy January, Chrispen Machisi (Toto Banda, 83mins), Brion Ngwenya (Ricaldo Sibanda, 57mins)
Highlanders
Raphael Pitisi (gk), Devine Mhindirira (Reason Sibanda, 63mins), Lynoth Chikuhwa (Brian Ndlovu, 75mins), Mckinnon Mushore (Gillian Nyathi, 75mins), Prince Ndlovu (Marvin Sibanda, 63mins), Andrew Mbeba, Peter Muduhwa, Archford Faira, Mvelo Khoza, Brighton Ncube, Melikhaya Ncube.
Online Reporter