Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 1-1 ZPC Kariba
HIGHLANDERS’ push for a vital home victory fell flat yesterday as they were held to a tense 1-1 draw by ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash at Barbourfields Stadium.
The Bosso faithful came expecting another big performance after last week’s Chibuku Super Cup triumph over Scottland, but the team could not match that spark.
Coach Pieter De Jongh admitted later that his men lacked precision when it mattered.
ZPC Kariba struck first in the 16th minute. Kelvin Gwao, left unmarked, rose to meet Ciphas Musikawanhu’s curling free kick and headed past Ariel Sibanda. The goal stunned the home crowd and exposed gaps in the Highlanders defence.
Bosso dominated possession yet struggled to turn pressure into chances. Prince Ndlovu forced the first real save in the 24th minute, his effort easily gathered by Future Sibanda. De Jongh reshuffled early, bringing in Benjamin Adeogun to add bite, but the breakthrough refused to come. Adeogun spurned a clear opportunity just before the break, side footing wide from six yards to the disbelief of the crowd.
ZPC nearly doubled the lead on the stroke of halftime when Moses Demera’s snap shot sailed over.
After the restart Highlanders attacked with more intent. Their pressure told in the 58th minute when referee Mhaka Magare awarded a penalty after Stanley Ngala caught Reason Sibanda with a raised elbow. Melikhaya Ncube kept his nerve, sending Future Sibanda the wrong way to level the contest.
From there it was end-to-end. Adeogun danced through defenders on the hour mark to set up Marvin Sibanda, who failed to test the keeper. ZPC Kariba remained a threat on the break and came close again when Samuel Makawa twice had efforts blocked inside the last 10 minutes.
Highlanders threw everyone forward late on. Andrew Mbeba’s free-kick drew a fine stop, while Ncube’s follow-up was deflected. In the dying seconds Adeogun blazed over from close range, sealing a frustrating afternoon.
De Jongh admitted his side fell short in key moments.
“The final pass was not good. Sometimes wrong decision. The focus was not good. We played a cup game and won. This was a game we could have won or lost,” he said.
ZPC Kariba coach Newton Chitewe hailed his team’s composure.
“It’s a win for us. Playing in front of that crowd, I am happy for the team. We just had to make sure they don’t play in the midfield. Last year, we lost here because the players failed to handle the atmosphere. Today, we used more experienced players,” he said.
