adminRicky Zililo in BULAWAYO
Highlanders…………….(1) 1
Hwange……………………..0
ONCE again, Highlanders had to rely on a defender to score and bag maximum points as their strikers continue to misfire.
Three minutes before halftime rightback, Webster Chingodza, ghosted in from the blind side to head in a Bruce Kangwa cross at Barbourfields yesterday.
It was Chingodza’s first goal in Highlanders colours since joining Bosso last season.
A wonder goal by injured central defender Teenage Hadebe propelled Bosso to victory against Tsholotsho last week.
A jubilant Chingodza was happy that they managed to grab all points against Hwange, who were coming from a 3-3 draw against ZPC Kariba at the Colliery.
“I’m very happy. I think we deserve this as a team, it’s not about an individual’s performance. But as an individual I’m happy that we got three points,” he said.
The Bulawayo giants put up a better show than they did against Tsholotsho FC.
Highlanders’ coach Bongani Mafu made three changes to the squad that faced Tsholotsho with the injured duo of Hadebe and Tarumbwa being replaced by Erick Mudzingwa and Welcome Ndiweni.
Edmore Muzanenhamo was benched for Tendai Ngulube.
Ndiweni was in top form, playing just behind lone striker Thomas Chideu, and won supporters’ hearts with a sublime display.
Ngulube double-anchored with Mthulisi Maphosa while Mudzingwa partnered Felix Chindungwe in central defence.
Thirteen minutes into the match, Chideu twisted and turned in the box but shot wide after getting to the end of a Kangwa cutback.
A minute later Hwange launched a raid but Gilbert Zulu, unmarked in the box, fluffed a good scoring opportunity, heading a Nkosana Siwela cross into the hands of Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.
Hwange striker Aleck Marime beat an offside trap in the 19th minute and tried a cheeky chip over a badly-exposed Sibanda, which the Bosso goalie tipped for corner.
Ngulube did well to win the ball inside the box but surprisingly directed his effort into the hands of Hwange goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya.
On the half-hour mark, Ndiweni threaded a defence-splitting pass to Chideu but the striker shot straight at Mawaya.
Bosso finally got their goal in the 42nd minute through rightback Chingodza who had overlapped and headed home a perfect Kangwa cross from the left.
The miners could have equalised a minute into the second half when Siwela sent a long pass to Marime but he failed to control the ball having outpaced Bosso central defenders — Mudzingwa and Chindungwe.
Innocent Mucheneka should have punished Highlanders in the 52nd minute after Maphosa had lost possession and the Hwange midfielder, with ample time in the box to pick his spot, shot wide.
“With a bit of luck we could have won the game. Unfortunately, we failed to convert the chances we created and it wasn’t our day.
“We are not losing hope and we will work harder for our next game against Tsholotsho FC on Monday,” said Nation Dube, the Hwange coach.
Highlanders’ gaffer Mafu was pleased with his players’ performance.
“I’m happy we managed to grind the result without some of our injured players. What also makes me happy is that goals are coming from everywhere,” Mafu said.
Teams:
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, W. Chingodza, H. Moyo, E. Mudzingwa, F. Chindungwe, M. Maphosa (N. Masuku, 54th min), T. Ngulube, B. Kangwa, W. Ndiweni (S. Munawa, 88th min), G. Nyoni, T. Chideu
Hwange: T. Mawaya, T. Sibelo, M. Mungadze, G. Ndlovu, A. Chuma, D. Boriwondo, I. Mucheneka, N. Siwela (F. Vimisayi, 48th min), A. Marime (N. Sianchali, 67th min), G. Zulu, E. Rusike
Results:
Yesterday: Highlanders 1-0 Hwange, Chicken Inn 1-0 Tsholotsho FC, ZPC Kariba 4-2 Buffaloes, Triangle 2-0 Chapungu, Whawha 1-1 Harare City, Dynamos 1-0 Dongo Sawmill
Online Reporter