adminA game against CAPS United was always going to pose Bosso with a big test of their unbeaten start to the season.
Former Motor Action man Masimba Mambare’s 10th minute goal helped Bosso’s class of 2012 stretch their unbeaten run to 13 games.
That fine run has also surpassed that of the 2006 squad which won the Championship when Methembe Ndlovu’s charges lost to CAPS United in another Week 13 fixture.
By then Bosso had amassed 34 points, but yesterday’s win took Highlanders’ tally to 31 points.
The winner in yesterday’s match came from a set piece after Mambare had been fouled on the right side just outside the CAPS United penalty area.
Lawson Nkomo who was playing for the first time whipped in a cross that another Bosso returnee Bhekimpilo Ncube headed to Mambare who in turn rose high to plant his header 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 Kevin 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 genuine penalties.
Mawone almost got the Bosso faithful furious when he disallowed what appeared to have been clear goals by Milton Ncube in the 20th minute by Milton Ncube and
Graham Ncube’s 53rd minute effort.
When Graham struck, the ball appeared to have crossed the line and a CAPS United defender seemed to have scooped the effort with his hands, but the referee waved play on.
For the Bosso penalty incident, 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 while fighting for possession with Shingi Kawondera and again the Kwekwe-based referee turned down the CAPS United appeal.
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.
Apart from the referee’s shortcomings, Highlanders were dominant in 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 the picture.
Moyo, Mthulisi Maphosa and Bhekimpilo were controlling the midfield and had Bosso been perfect in the final third, CAPS United’s jittery defence could have paid a big price.
Yet CAPS United also had their chances with their best opportunity of the opening half falling to Evans Gwekwerere in the 19th minute when he received a pass from Kawondera while unmarked in the box.
Gwekwerere took long to shoot at goal leaving Nkomo to whisk away the ball.
Just before halftime, Gwekwerere failed to tap home a cross from Kutsanzira which only needed a touch as Highlanders’ defence had been caught at sea.
CAPS United came back a better side after the break 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 out for a corner while Beavan 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 a 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
Online Reporter