Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium, Bulawayo
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Simba Bhora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
THERE was a deafening silence around Barbourfields moments after the final whistle.
Highlanders had fought back, dominated the second half and looked the more likely winners, yet they were left to settle for a 1-1 draw against Simba Bhora, their 12th stalemate of the season. Blessing Ndereki put Simba Bhora ahead after latching onto the end of a defence splitting pass from former Highlanders midfielder Adrian Silla in the 29th minute, before the equaliser came through a well taken Royn Nyamono shot from outside the box.
It was another afternoon that summed up Bosso’s campaign. They showed resilience and attacking intent after the break but once again paid the price for a sluggish opening half and failure to convert chances.
Highlanders should have gone ahead midway through the half after a slick exchange between Benjamin Adeogun and Ngoma carved open the Simba Bhora defence. Adeogun’s low strike, however, was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper William Thole.
Moments later Ngoma capitalised on a defensive lapse, only to see his left-footed effort kept out by the impressive Thole.
Those missed opportunities proved costly in the 28th minute. Adrian Silla split the Highlanders defence with a perfectly weighted through ball and Blessed Ndereki raced onto it before calmly beating Aron Ngwenya to hand Simba Bhora the lead.
Benjani Mwaruwari responded in the 59th minute with a triple substitution, introducing Kudakwashe Mahachi, Mongameli Tshuma and Reason Sibanda for Luckmore Mutumbi, Never Rauzhi and Benjamin Adeogun, a move that transformed Highlanders’ attacking urgency.
The changes injected fresh energy and Highlanders eventually found the breakthrough through a moment of brilliance from Royn Nyamono, who unleashed a superb strike from outside the box after a neat lay-off from Rauzhi, beating Thole with an unstoppable effort despite losing his balance.
Despite sustained pressure in the closing stages, Simba Bhora defended resolutely to leave Bulawayo with a valuable point. Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari felt his side had dropped two valuable points.
“Today we didn’t play normally and for the past three or four games we have been conceding.
“Sometimes when you concede, the chances of winning become less so we need to work on that with our defence,” said Benjani.
“We improved towards the end of the first half and in the second half we scored a good goal. From there we started showing some glimpses, although we still didn’t show enough.”
Simba Bhora coach Mandla Mpofu praised both teams after the entertaining contest.
“It was a good game playing a team that has found their rhythm. Despite coming away with a point, I think we did well. I think the fans enjoyed the game.”
