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The result also saw the present crop surpassing the 2006 championship record by going for an unbeaten run of 13 games. Back in 2006, Bosso lost 1-0 to Caps FC on Week 13 and by that time they had amassed 34 points.
Masimba Mambare who is enjoying himself at Bosso, scored the important goal for his team in the 10th minute and in the process, ensured that Highlanders collected maximum points and took their points tally to 31 from 13 outings.
The goal came from a set piece after Mambare had been fouled on the right side just outside the Caps United penalty area, and Lawson Nkomo who was playing for the first time, whipped in a cross that another team returnee Bhekimpilo Ncube headed to Mambare who rose high and headed the ball past a hapless Caps United goalkeeper Muzondiwa Gonese.
The Caps United’s defenders who had appeared jittery for the better part of the first half should take blame for failing to challenge Ncube and Mambare for the aerial tussle.
Highlanders’ coach Kelvin Kaindu was happy with his team’s performance and conceded that Caps United gave them a good run.
“It was a good game and Caps United gave us a good run for our money. They (Caps United) have a good side and I am happy that the boys played well and got the three points,” said Kaindu. The Zambian expatriate could not be drawn into commenting on the pathetic officiating by Midlands referee Munyaradzi Mawone who denied both Highlanders and Caps United what appeared to be penalties.
Mawone almost got the Bosso faithfuls furious when he disallowed what appeared to have been clear goals for the home team in the 20th minute by Milton Ncube and 10 minutes before the end of the match Graham Ncube ghosted from the blind side to tap in a rebound off Beaven Chikaka header but the far side assistant referee signalled for a goal kick.
For the penalty incidents, Graham was hacked in the box by Asani Nhongo in the 22nd minute and Mawone turned a blind eye. Deep into the second half Highlanders skipper Innocent Mapuranga handled in the box fighting for possession with Shingi Kawondera and again the Kwekwe-based referee turned the appeal down.
Highlanders could have ended the game with 10 players but the referee’s generosity saw him fail to book Nkomo who had gone for a challenge with open studs on Rahman Kutsanzira in the second half. Nkomo had been seating on a yellow card he had received in the first half.
What was clear to everyone was that Mawone spoiled what could have been an exciting encounter with his lack of competence.
Besides the referee’s shortcomings, Highlanders dominated the first half and they could have sealed their victory but Peter Moyo, who had a good game, missed a glorious chance in the 19th minute after being set up in the box by Bhekimpilo as his effort missed the target by a few inches with Gonese out of picture. Moyo, Mthulisi Maphosa and Bhekimpilo, were wreaking the visitors’ midfield and had Bosso been perfect on the final third, the Caps United’s jittery defence should have been punished.
Caps United’s best first half scoring opportunities fell to Evans Gwekwerere in the 19th minute when he received a pass from Kawondera unmarked in the box but the former Dynamos hitman took long to shoot at goal leaving Nkomo to whisk away the ball.
At the stroke of halftime, Gwekwerere failed to tap home a cross from Kutsanzira which only needed a touch as Highlanders’ defence had been caught in sixes and nines.
The second half saw Caps United coming back a better side and with a bit of luck, they could have snatched an equaliser but found Bosso resolute.
Simon Munawa tried a spectacular in the 61st minute which Gonese punched for corner while Chikaka saw his 80th minute header hitting the post with Gonese a beaten man.
“Highlanders started better than us but I believe we had control of the second half. I think the best result could have been a draw but unfortunately lapse in concentration cost us,” said Caps United’s gaffer Sean Conner.
Teams
Highlanders: A Sibanda, E Mudzingwa, I Mapuranga, B Kangwa, L Nkomo, M Maphosa, P Moyo, M Ncube (S Munawa, 57th minute), B Ncube (B Chikaka, 68th minute), M Mambare, G Ncube (O Zibande, 83rd minute)
Caps United: M Gonese, E Gwekwerere, S kawondera, T Kumbuyani, R Kutsanzira, N Mukumbi, T Munyanduri, M Gonese, A Nhongo, D Rediyoni (C Kawinga, 64th minute), T Samanja (P Tafirenyika, 81st minute), D Walaza.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter