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Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Bulawayo
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
Shabanie Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
FOR the second year running Bulawayo giants suffered the agony of seeing their bitter rivals Dynamos clinch the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title on the last day of the season through a superior goal difference after failing to punish Shabanie Mine at Barbourfields yesterday.
Highlanders needed to score as many goals as possible past Victor Twaliki the visitors’ goalkeeper in order to remain in contention for their maiden league title in seven years but the players chose to fire blanks. At the end they could only afford to score three goals while tired looking right back Bruce Tshuma had a hand in the visitors’ consolation goal in the 23rd minute that was scored by Caleb Masocha.
Highlanders got their goals from Njabulo Ncube and a brace from Milton Ncube but they were not enough to land them the title despite Harare City drawing 2-2 with CAPS United while Dynamos won 2-0 over Black Mambas.
Bosso, who had dreadlocked Peter Moyo outstanding all afternoon, opened their account in the 10th minute through some individual brilliance from stocky Ncube who dribbled past a Shabanie Mine defender before rounding off an advancing Twaliki to cleverly chip the ball into an empty net.
Nine minutes later, Tshilamoya who needed to score three goals more than Dynamos went two nil up through left-footed Milton again who went on a solo mission as he charged towards goal. He intelligently dribbled past Rodney Mware who had the misfortune of letting the ball pass between his legs, before coolly slotting the ball past an advancing Twaliki with a delicate left curler.
At that moment, the Highlanders family anticipated an avalanche of goals and the excitement at the stadium could clearly be seen.
However, the 2-0 lead lasted for just three minutes, thanks to a moment of madness from the bold headed Tshuma who, for the reasons only known to himself, laid a sitter for former Dynamos player Norman Maroto who fumbled with the ball as Munyaradzi Diya came out of his line to close the gap.
The ball fell onto the path of Masocha who had the easiest of tasks to pull one back, much to the excitement of the Mpilo End supporters, who appeared to be in the picture with proceedings elsewhere in the Dynamos match in Harare.
Two minutes later Bosso could have found goal number three but central defender, Eric Mudzingwa who had a below par performance by his standards, directed his effort over the bar from point blank range.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu then made an injury inspired substitution in the 27th minute, taking out Njabulo for Ozias Zibande.
“We could not risk Njabulo especially looking at the fact that we have a major cup final next weekend,” said Kaindu after the match.
Njabulo picked up a hip injury earlier on. A minute after the introduction of Zibande, Knox Mutizwa could have extended the home team’s lead with his beautiful curler that however went wide.
Online Reporter