adminRicky Zililo in BULAWAYO
GOALS by Peter Muduhwa, man-of-the moment Godfrey Makaruse and Stanley Ngala powered Bosso to a confidence-boosting 3-0 victory over Manica Diamonds in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer match at Barbourfields yesterday.
It was a match that Highlanders deserved to win as they dominated possession from the first whistle and suffocated their opponents, who failed to create any meaningful scoring opportunities.
Playing before an appreciative crowd, Bosso were patient in their build-ups and knocked the ball around waiting to pounce on any opportunity.
As the match was heading for half-time, central defender Muduhwa surged forward and won possession just inside the Manica Diamonds half, dribbled past two players and unleashed a grounder from the edge of the box to beat the visitors’ goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo.
Highlanders resumed the second-half at an electrifying pace, with Makaruse enjoying himself on the left.
Ngala made it two for Bosso in the 70th minute when he poked the ball into the nets after Manica Diamonds failed to clear Adrian Silla’s delivery from the left.
Makaruse then capped a fine afternoon with a gem of a goal in the 75th minute.
He let loose a long range shot with his weaker right foot, which cannoned off the upright and into the net, beating the diving Muchambo.
Bosso coach Baltermar Brito was full of praise for his charges and saluted the fans for rallying behind the team.
“First of all, l want to congratulate the team and technical staff and the fans that came in their numbers.
“We expect them to come in their numbers for the next match.
“We played against a tough team because they have quality and are organised.
“We fought well through the game. We still have a lot of work to do,” said Brito.
The visitors were frustrated that they couldn’t crack Highlanders’ defence and resorted to long-range attempts which didn’t trouble keeper Ariel Sibanda, who was a spectator the entire afternoon.
With 12 minutes left, coach Brito introduced 16-year-old Prince Ndlovu and the youngster tested Muchambo with his first touch.
Ndlovu sent Bosso fans into frenzy when he controlled the ball, side-stepped as he dribbled an opponent before exchanging passes with Washington Navaya and coming face-to-face with Muchambo only to shoot wide.
Manica Diamonds coach Johanisi Nhumwa said: “I think our approach was okay although there was a lapse in marking at the end of the first-half.”
Results at a glance
Triangle United 0-0 ZPC Kariba, CAPS United 0-0 Black Rhinos, Tenax 1-0 Chicken Inn
Online Reporter