adminRicky Zililo in BULAWAYO
Highlanders………………. 1
Hwange…………………..0
GOD favours the brave, footballers who want to play and respect fans.
These words were uttered by Highlanders coach Baltemar Brito following his team’s late winner that powered them to the top of the Castle Lager Premiership table.
Bosso took their points tally to 14 from six games, just a point ahead of Ngezi Platinum Stars, and two points above CAPS United, who were dethroned from the summit following their 2-0 defeat to Dynamos.
Washington Navaya struck the winner for Highlanders in the 87th minute, a goal that Brito who was visibly frustrated by Hwange’s delaying tactics, described as a lucky strike at Barbourfields.
Highlanders’ winner came at a time when it appeared the match was heading towards a draw, a point that Hwange coach Nation Dube said his side would have been content with.
A lapse of concentration and a mistake as Hwange goalkeeper Nedrick Madeya, who missed the ball and collided with his defender as he left the goalline in an attempt to clear to safety, led to Bosso’s goal.
Evergreen Highlanders midfielder Devine Mhindirira then sent a cross which was headed in by Navaya
“At the end of the day, God was on our side, He (God) saw how much we wanted to play and win the game while the other side wasted the time.
“The opponents didn’t want to play and had no respect for the fans who came to watch the game.
“A lucky goal. But we deserved a win. The first half was better than the second half as we created a number of chances, but in the second half the opponents started doing their antics (time wasting) which is not good for Zimbabwe football,” said Brito
Rarely did the coalminers trouble Highlanders’ backline as Peter Muduhwa and Mbongeni Ndlovu kept Hwange’s top striker with Brighton Makopa under lock.
Hwange gaffer Dube felt that they gave away a valuable point.
“You could see the difference between amateurs and professionals because professionals concentrate throughout the game.
“Otherwise we fared well, our game plan which was to let them play the ball almost worked well.
“It was only us who didn’t take the chances we had and if we had done so, it would’ve been a different story,” Dube said.
Teams
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Andrew Mbeba, Godfrey Makaruse, Peter Muduhwa, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Melikhaya Ncube (Brighton Manhire, 65th minute), Darlington Mukuli (Washington Navaya, 65th minute), Lynoth Chikuhwa (Mason Mushore, 90th minute), Stanley Ngala (Calvin Chigonero, 46th minute), Divine Mhindirira, McKinnon Mushore (Rahman Kutsanzira, 94th minute)
Hwange: Nedrick Madeya, Elisha Zulu, Kelly Shiyandindi, Brian Mlotshwa, Gift Gumbo, Thabani Goredema, Tendai Muvuti (King Nasama, 34th minute), Sheppard Gadzikwa, Solomon Sithole (James Chivasa, 68th minute), Brighton Makopa (Cluivert Tshuma, 68th minute), Canaan Nkomo (Lucas Sibanda, 68th minute)
Online Reporter