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Fungai Muderere in Bulawayo
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 (2)
Bulawayo Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 (2)
(Highlanders won 6-5 on penalties)
ONCE again veteran Highlanders goalkeeper and club captain Ariel Sibanda chose Barbourfields to showcase his goalkeeping antics as Bosso were stretched to the limit before labouring their way into the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final.
The pulsating match which had all the ingredients of a cup tie and a derby showdown as both sides remained deadlocked in regulation time.
Within the 90 minutes of the nail-biting encounter, Chiefs were thrust into the lead by veteran midfielder Danny “Deco” Phiri courtesy of a dipping free-kick that Sibanda punched into his net when the game was just 13 minutes old.
Just three minutes later Bosso restored parity through Lynoth Chikuhwa after a goalmouth melee.
Bosso have been walking with a spring in their step and their confidence levels are on a high.
It was not long before Bosso seized the initiative when they took the lead through McKinnon Mushore found the back of the net after a brilliant move that involved ex-Bulawayo City duo Melikhaya Ncube and Elsharmar Farasi.
After the breather, speedy Farau Matare reduced arrears for Amakhosi Amahle after Highlanders defender Peter Muduhwa had been found wanting inside the 12-yard box.
The victory ensured Bosso remain unbeaten in both the league and cup, a result which left their coach Baltemar Brito a happy man.
“It’s always good to win but I must say it was an exciting match.
“With a new coach Bulawayo Chiefs played well. We didn’t know what to expect from them.
“However, it was quite an exciting game and I’m happy for my boys,” said Brito.
It was the first that Chibuku Super Cup holders Ciefs were playing under their new coach Johanisi Nhumwa.
But with Chiefs ouster it will mean a new name will be etched on the Cup at the end of this year’s tourney.
Despite eventually coming second best in the penalty shootout lottery, Nhumwa was happy with the way Chiefs acquitted themselves and matching Bosso in regulation time.
“We had planned well for this game and I’m happy to say the boys came to the party. It was an exciting match and I look forward to build up from this game. We always looked forward to go to the penalty lottery and it was unfortunate that we lost but we had planned for it,” said Nhumwa.
During the kicks from the penalty spot, Bosso scored through goalkeeper Sibanda who sunk his effort to the bottom corner to Khulekani Dube’s right with Billy Veremu equalising.
Brighton Manhire made it 2-1 for Highlanders and Mthokozisi Msebe levelled matters.
Mbeba took Bosso’s third and Dube read his intentions well diving to the right to block the effort.
Felix Moyo gave Chiefs a 3-2 advantage.
Thereafter Mushore made it 3-3 but the lottery spun in Bosso’s favour when Mandlenkosi Gasela saw Sibanda stop his effort to send the Bosso faithful off their seats in celebration.
Bosso skipper Sibanda then ensured he was the hero of the afternoon when saving Panashe Shoko’s kick and send his side through to the last eight.
Teams:
Highlanders: A Sibanda, L Chikukwa (S Ngala 80th minute), M Mushore, B Manhire, A Mbeba, E Farasi, P Muduhwa, A Farasi (D Mhindirira 61st minute), M Ndlovu, W Navaya (P Chigenero 61st minute), M Ncube (D Munkuli 80th minute)
Bulawayo Chiefs: I Ali (K Dube 90 + 3 minutes), K Joe, M Msebe, A Ncube, O Chirinda (P Shoko 90th minute), M Mkolo, D Phiri, S Chimanikire, M Gasela, F Moyo, F Matare (B Veremu 90 + 2 minutes)
Online Reporter