Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Herentals College 0-0 Highlanders
HIGHLANDERS battled to a hard-earned point that could prove vital in their fight for survival after holding Herentals College to a goalless draw at Rufaro yesterday.
The race to stay up, just like the title chase, has reached the tense stage where every point matters. For Bosso, this one felt like gold. The draw lifted them to 35 points, nudging them above CAPS United into ninth place on goal difference.
It was a tight contest, one either team could have won, or lost, depending on which side of luck they landed.
Herentals, who have long been a difficult opponent for Highlanders, dominated stretches of the game. Aware of that record, Bosso coach Pieter De Jongh opted for a compact set-up, relying on discipline and shape to frustrate the Students.
And it worked. His side had to grind for everything, but their resilience paid off.
“A point is a point and we take it,” said De Jongh.
“We knew Herentals is a good team and Highlanders always find it difficult to win against them.
But we had to do what we could. We take the point and we are happy. The point takes us to 35 points which is not bad.”
Herentals have quietly been one of the most consistent sides this season, and with their top-four ambitions still alive, they looked confident from the start. Even without their talismanic captain, Tino Benza, rested on medical advice, the Students dominated possession and territory.
They could have opened the scoring inside five minutes when defender Arthur Ndlovu’s back pass nearly wrong-footed goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, who recovered sharply to save the blushes.
Moments later, Lot Chiwunga’s effort was blocked by Andrew Mbeba, while at the other end, Reason Sibanda’s weak shot was easily gathered by Tinotendaishe Takarinda.
Chances were scarce in the second-half, with both sides closing spaces and cancelling each other out. The ageless Innocent Benza came closest when his volley beat Sibanda but looped just over the bar. His skill and awareness lit up the match, even as time ran out.
After the final whistle, Herentals coach Paul Benza was content to settle for a share of the spoils.
“I think we should take the point,” he said.
“It was a tough match and we were playing against one of the giants of local football. The chances were very few and far between. We tried to score but we couldn’t and I should say a point was better than losing all three. Our top-four ambitions remain intact. We should work hard until the end of the season.”
Herentals now sit on 44 points, six shy of the top four with a handful of matches left to play.
Teams
Herentals College: Tinotendaishe Takarinda, Blessed Moyo, Blessing Phiri, Clemence Gobvu, Melvin Mukiwa, Lot Chiwunga, Tinashe Mazambani, Brighton Majarira, Innocent Benza, Prince Mayembe, Ralph Kawondera.
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Arthur Ndlovu, Brian Mlotshwa, Melikhaya Ncube, Reason Sibanda, Marvin Sibanda, Andrew Mbeba, Darlington Munkuli, Luckmore Mutumbi, Benjamin Adeogun, Atusaye Nyondo.
