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Bosso, who are at the top of the log with 23 points from nine matches, have scored 22 goals and conceded six, meaning that their conversion rate is above two goals per match.
The Bulawayo giants failed to find the back of the net against a resolute Chicken Inn who deserve credit for containing the former champions.
The last time Highlanders scored so many goals in their opening nine matches was in 2006, the year they last won the championship. In that season, Bosso had the likes of Obadiah Tarumbwa, Ralph Matema, Honour Gombami, Vusa Nyoni, Master Masiku and Danisa Phiri.
Then Highlanders were coached by Methembe Ndlovu.
This season Highlanders started their campaign on a high note and have become a threat to many clubs. Football enthusiasts, coaches and administrators are openly discussing Bosso’s form in public areas and social sites.
Their performance has seen them attracting back their lost fans with attendance figures rising with every game.
After the Sunday draw which the Highlanders faithfuls acknowledged was a point gained given the numerous raids the team was subjected to by their rivals, Kelvin Kaindu said there was need to work on their scoring shortcomings.
“It is just unfortunate that we did not score so we have to work on our shortcomings before the next match,” said Kaindu.
On Sunday, Highlanders failed to click as Chicken Inn did not allow them to play their usual passing game. Chicken Inn’s coach Adam Ndlovu who had spied on Bosso for sometime got his tactics right as he always had three defenders — Guide Godard, Felix Chindungwe and Moses Jackson — keeping a close eye on Graham Ncube and Milton Ncube even when the Gamecocks were attacking.
Ndlovu knew that pushing all his men forward would leave his goalkeeper exposed in the event of a counter-attack.
“We know how Highlanders play and what we simply did was to contain them in midfield and never allowed them to play their game at the same time attacked when we got the opportunity. Had our finishing been good, we could have buried them,” Ndlovu said in a post-match interview.
Both teams had fair chances but they took turns to miss.
For Chicken Inn, Tendai Ndoro and Marshal Marime were the chief culprits with Peter “Rio” Moyo blocking what appeared to be a goal-bound shot by Masimba Mambare for Bosso.
Despite the draw, Chicken Inn went two places down the ladder as Caps United and Monomotapa leapfrogged them following their identical 1-0 wins against Hardbody and Blue Rangers respectively.
On Saturday FC Platinum beat Quelaton at Mandava Stadium with their goals coming from Ali “Mkoma Ketai” Sadiki and Allen Gahadzikwa.
The expensively assembled FC Platinum side failed to live to the club motto which is “Pure Platinum Play” as they looked disjointed. What became clear is that most of the players at FC Platinum are either overrated or there is no team spirit as it seems players are after showing off their individual brilliance.
With that kind of performance, it will be difficult for FC Platinum to challenge for the honours even though they are second on the log with 18 points from 10 games and trail Highlanders who have played a game less by five points.
At the Colliery Stadium, Hwange were handed a thorough beating at home by Shabanie Mine who won the game 4-1.
Petros Mhari, Hwange’s goalkeeper who was beaten three times before injury caused his substitution after clashing with
Shabanie Mine striker Tarisai Rukanda, had to be admitted to hospital.
“I am waiting for a scan on my leg. I can’t walk and I have been admitted to the hospital. This is painful considering that I am just coming from a long lay off due to injury and then this again,” said Mhari in an interview yesterday.
Shabanie Mine are now tied on 18 points with FC Platinum and are third on the log.
Caps United’s purple patch continued as they narrowly beat Hardbody 1-0 in Gweru courtesy of a strike from a freekick just outside the box by goalkeeper Edmore “ZiKeeper” Sibanda.
Results at a glance
Saturday: Black Mambas 0, Motor Action 3; FC Platinum 2, Quelaton 0.
Sunday: Highlanders 0, Chicken Inn 0; Hardbody 0, Caps United 1; Hwange 1, Shabanie Mine 4; Buffaloes 2, Gunners 2; Blue Rangers 0, Monomotapa 1.
Bongani Ndlovu