Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira At Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 1-1 ZPC Kariba
HIGHLANDERS’ hopes of collecting maximum points at Barbourfields yesterday were dashed after a frustrating 1–1 draw against ZPC Kariba in a tense Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash.
Fresh off an inspiring victory over Scotland in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals, expectations were high among the Bosso faithful.
However, coach Pieter De Jongh’s men could not replicate their cup form in front of a lively home crowd.
ZPC Kariba took the lead as early as the 16th minute.
Kelvin Gwao was left unmarked in the box and made no mistake, rising to meet Ciphas Musikawanhu’s pin-point free-kick with a powerful header that beat Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.
The goal stunned the home fans and exposed poor organisation in the Highlanders’ defence.
Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, Highlanders struggled to break down a well-drilled Kariba side.
Their first real chance came in the 24th minute when Prince Ndlovu found space in the box but his tame shot was comfortably saved by visiting goalkeeper Future Sibanda.
In a bid to regain control, De Jongh made early changes, introducing Benjamin Adeogun midway through the first half.
The substitutions added urgency to Bosso’s play, but the breakthrough remained elusive. Adeogun had a golden opportunity to level just before half-time when a rebound fell kindly to him inside the six-yard area, but his shot went wide.
ZPC Kariba nearly doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time, but Moses Demera couldn’t keep his shot down after the ball fell to him in the box.
The second half saw Highlanders come out with more intent. Their pressure paid off in the 58th minute when referee Mhaka Magare awarded a penalty after Stanley Ngala caught Reason Sibanda with a raised elbow during an aerial challenge.
Melikhaya Ncube stepped up and coolly slotted the spot-kick past Future Sibanda to bring Bosso level.
The home side pushed for a winner, with Adeogun once again at the heart of the attack. In the 70th minute, he danced through defenders and set up Marvin Sibanda, whose shot failed to trouble the Kariba keeper.
ZPC Kariba, however, remained dangerous on the counter. Samuel Makawa came close to restoring the visitors’ lead with ten minutes left, but two successive efforts were bravely blocked by the Highlanders’ defence.
After the final whistle, Highlanders coach Pieter De Jongh admitted his side had failed to execute in key moments.
“The final pass was not good. Sometimes wrong decision. The focus was not good. We played a cup game and won. This was a game we could have won or lost,” De Jongh reflected.
