Online Reporter
Tongai Mashonga
Hardrock FC 0-1 Highlanders
HIGHLANDERS turned on the style and stunned Hardrock 1-0 in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) match played at Chahwanda Stadium yesterday.
Reason Sibanda was the catalyst, coming off the bench and striking with a brilliant acrobatic kick against the run of play.
In the process, the miners suffered their first defeat at home and a second loss after 12 games.
It was a game that saw both teams’ willingness to play complete football. But the first half lacked goalmouth action, with play more concentrated in the middle of the park.
Shelton Moyo’s injury-inspired substitution affected much of Bosso’s play, as he was instrumental in Bosso’s attacks.
But Andrew Mbeba ignited Highlanders game, making dangerous runs and crosses on the right channel. In one such moment, Mbeba delivered a cross and Royin Nyamono and Sibanda failed to connect.
Kelvin Kaindu’s changes, resting Phiri and Junior Makunike for Wilfred Madzungu and Tinashe Mashaireni, made an early impact as the two injected pace in transition, which was lacking in the first half.
Hardrock camped in Bosso’s half with Madzungu, Mashaireni supported by Bamara, building momentum, but still failed to break the solid Bosso defence.
In the 68th minute, Reason Sibanda could have punished the home side through a counterattack but blasted his effort wide inside Hardrock’s penalty box. Two minutes later, Sibanda stunned Chahwanda Stadium with a sublime acrobatic finish.
Washington Navaya could have equalised in a one-on-one situation, but his effort went over.
Kaindu said: “This is our first defeat at home and a bit painful, especially since we dominated the game.
“We could have finished our business in the first half when we had a couple of chances. We made changes at halftime, we controlled the game, but our opponents capitalised from a simple attack and got a goal. A draw for them was good, that’s why they were always on the ground. In football, you win, lose and draw. Highlanders wanted to win; we could have won in the first half.”
Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari said it was a tough game and Bosso are headed in the right direction.
“This game was very tough. Hardrock are a very difficult team to break, and today they gave us a hard time. My boys showed character, fought all the way,” said the Bosso coach.
“Two back-to-back wins take us up. Hopefully, we will correct our wrongs today. “Sometimes if you win like this, you forget your mistakes. We had a very good game against Hardrock. I don’t want to talk about referees; match officials are human beings, sometimes they are bound to make mistakes, we have to correct our mistakes, and work hard for the next game.
“We are still building, it’s a process we started with seven draws, now we have back-to-back wins. We are heading in the right direction,” he said.
