Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo Zimpapers Sports Hub
Highlanders 1-1 Manica Diamonds
HIGHLANDERS had only themselves to blame after a poor second-half display saw Manica Diamonds salvage a crucial point away from home at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Having led 1–0 at the break, Bosso’s defenders were caught napping, and Ariel Sibanda failed to deal with what should have been an easy take, allowing Evans Katema to slot home the equaliser in the 65th minute to help the visitors level matters and secure a valuable point.
Bosso had a golden opportunity to snatch all three points in the 90th minute when Reason Sibanda missed an empty net, skying his effort over the bar after brilliant build-up play from Brian Mlotshwa.
The two teams are on 38 points, with one game to go in the league, both on the jaws of relegation.
Melikhaya Ncube had put Highlanders in front in the 31st minute with a tap in from an Andrew Mbeba free kick.
The Bosso midfielder, unmarked, opted to lay the ball onto Mbeba on the right instead of going for glory and the latter sent in a brilliant cross, resulting in the goal.
The hosts dominated the proceedings in the first stanza.
Bosso showed intent early on with Never Rauzhi making inroads from
the right flank, however, his low cross into the box was deflected for a corner kick.
Moments later, Rauzhi came close to putting Bosso in front when a loose ball from an Andrew Mbeba free kick fell onto his path but the speedy winger skied his effort over the bar.
In the fifth minute, Manica Diamonds’s Anelka Chivandire attempted a long range shot but his effort went wide off goal.
In the 10th minute, after a brilliant interchange of passes from the hosts, Rauzhi, facing the opposite of goal, received a pass from Archford Faira but couldn’t turn. In an attempt to lay the ball to his teammate, he passed the Manica defenders who then cleared.
Moments later, Ariel Sibanda was brought into action when he denied Kudzanai Dhemere from close range, forcing a corner kick. The attacking midfielder had received a brilliant through ball from Charles Teguru.
In the 22nd minute, Rauzhi sent in another brilliant cross into the box from the left only for Clive Dzingai and the Gem Boys’ shot stopper Geoffrey
Chitsumba to scramble for the ball resulting in a corner kick which went to waste.
Five minutes after Bosso had broken the deadlock, Chivandire attempted a curler from the edge of the Bosso but his effort went wide.
The Gem Boys dominated the second half.
In the 53rd minute, Manica Diamonds came close to leveling matters when Tinotenda Musariranwa received an ariel ball. Unmarked in the box, a free header, he headed over the bar.
Moments later, Adeogun came close to doubling Bosso’s lead with a curling effort from outside the box which went just wide.
Three minutes before the hour mark, Rauzhi received a brilliant defense splitting pass from Ncube, and with the keeper left to beat, he shot wide.
In the 69th minute, Tendai Muvuti thought he had restored Bosso’s advantage but his goal, from a Mbeba cross, was disallowed for infringement on the goalkeeper.
In the 77th minute, Chitsumba produced a double save to deny Tendai Muvuti and Mbeba. He first punched a thunder strike from Muvuti from outside the box with the ball falling onto Mbeba’s path.
The Bosso defender produced a volley from inside the box which Chitsumba also punched away.
Brighton Ncube started a brilliant move where he passed Reason Sibanda who returned the ball to him. Ncube, however, shot wide.
Teams:
Highlanders:
Ariel Sibanda (gk), Arthur Ndlovu, Brian Mlothswa, Melikhaya Ncube, Tendai Muvuti (Brighton Ncube, 79mins), Andrew Mbeba, Never Rauzhi (Reason Sibanda, 81mins), Archford Faira (Atusaye Nyondo, 46mins), Luckmore Mutumbi, Benjamin Adeogun, Learnmore Muyambo (Darlington Munkuli, 86 mins).
Manica Diamonds:
Geoffrey Chitsumba (gk), Charles Teguru, Lawrence Masibera, Farai Banda, Ask Rupande, Jeffery Takunda, Clive Dzingai (Sibusiso Ndlovu, 60mins), Bret Amidu (Emmanuel Paga, 60mins), Kudzanai Dhemere, Anelka Chivandire (Evans Katema, 60mins), Tinotenda Musariranwa (Rainsome Pavari, 79mins).
