Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 1-0 Bikita Minerals
IT took a solitary Brighton Ncube moment to separate Highlanders and Bikita Minerals on a subdued afternoon at Barbourfields Stadium, as Bosso fought out a 1-0 victory to maintain their unbeaten home record.
Ncube’s 19th-minute strike, though seemingly routine, proved decisive. The low, skidding shot wrong-footed Bikita Minerals’ Taona, whose full-stretch save couldn’t prevent the awkward bounce into the net. The goal settled a match often lacking attacking inspiration from either side.
“What is important was to get three points although it was a very difficult game. Today we looked good in the final third, although we were let down by the way we defended.
“We made a lot of mistakes with our two central defenders but what is good at the end of the day is to pick up maximum points,” said Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu, whose side failed to beat Bikita at home and away last season.
The points might have come, but the performance will not go down as one of Bosso’s most convincing. With Melikhaya Ncube and Mason Mushore both suspended, Kaindu reshuffled his system to a 4-1-3-2, deploying Darlington Mukuli as the midfield anchor behind Marvin Sibanda, Mckinnon Mushore and Never Rauzhi. Ncube was paired with Reason Sibanda up front, while the Mukuli-captained the side in the absence of more senior players Melikhaya Ncube and Andrew Mbeba.
The match began with promise. Inside the opening minute, Malvin Hativagoni burst down the right flank and sent in a superb cross which Sibanda, unmarked, failed to connect.
It was an early let-off for the visitors, who responded soon after when Jerry Ruzive forced a fingertip save from Bosso keeper Reward Muza — an alert intervention from what had appeared a harmless ball.
But if the first-half showed flickers of attacking purpose, the second devolved into a drab affair. Players on both sides looked tired and technically uncertain, and for long stretches the match drifted without rhythm or spark.
One exception was Highlanders’ young winger Mafious Chihweta.
A recent signing from Ajax Hotspurs — who were relegated from the Zifa Southern Region Division One League last season — Chihweta impressed with his close ball control and fearless dribbling, drawing applause from the home support.
“We made a substitute, brought in a young exciting player and that is what the supporters are looking for. He changed the game. He was good with the ball and I’m also impressed with the work rate that our two strikers are showing. It’s showing that they can play as twin strikers, they are pushing,” said Kaindu.
Still, the visitors might feel aggrieved not to have taken something from the game. After falling behind, Bikita took control for much of the remainder, probing the Highlanders defence with improved urgency. But the final product repeatedly let them down.
“We have not been lucky with our conversion rate. As a team we have not been able to convert those chances. It was the case today,” said Bikita coach Wilson Mutekede.
Highlanders had a chance to kill the game off in the 61st minute when Hativagoni floated in a dangerous ball for Sibanda, who again was free in the box but headed wide when it seemed easier to score.
Teams
Highlanders: Reward Muza (gk), Talent Dube, Arthur Ndlovu, McKinnon Mushore (Tendai Muvuti 54 mins) , Reason Sibanda, Malvern Hativagoni, Marvin Sibanda (Hubert Ncube 54mins ), Brighton Ncube, Never Rauzhi, Darlington Mukuli (Gillian Nyathi 46 mins), Luckmore Mutambo
Bikita Minerals: Tenera Taona (gk), Blessing Kagudu, Mukululi Munzamba, Kiven Mukuva, Tidawanashe Nyakope, Lee Mauchi, Bennedict Bera, Spencer Mugariri, Tinotenda Kusinyera, Jerry Ruzive (Russy Taedza 74 mins ) Tidawanashe Musariramwa
