Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira
BARBOURFIELDS Stadium was a cauldron of nerves as Highlanders needed a second-half penalty to snatch a point in a tense 1-1 draw against stubborn ZPC Kariba on Sunday.
The visitors stunned the home crowd just 16 minutes in when Kelvin Gwao ghosted past slack Bosso marking to nod home a perfect Ciphas Musikawanhu free-kick. The header silenced the Soweto End and left the Highlanders defence looking shell-shocked.
Bosso almost hit back in the 24th minute when teenage sensation Prince Ndlovu wriggled free in the box, only to fire a tame shot straight at Kariba keeper Future Sibanda.
With Bosso lacking spark and cohesion, coach Pieter De Jongh threw in Darlington Mukuli and Mason Mushore in a desperate bid to inject life into his side. The changes brought urgency, but the cutting edge was still missing.
The home fans groaned in disbelief when Benjamin Adeogun fluffed a sitter inside the six-yard box late in the half. ZPC Kariba nearly rubbed salt in the wound when Moses Demera blazed over from a scramble in stoppage time.
The second half belonged to Bosso as they poured forward. Their breakthrough finally came in the 58th minute after Stanley Ngala’s reckless elbow caught Reason Sibanda in the face during an aerial battle.
Referee Mhaka Magare had no doubts and pointed to the spot. Up stepped Melikhaya Ncube, who coolly slotted home to level matters, sparking wild celebrations.
Bosso pressed for the winner, with Adeogun and Marvin Sibanda going close. Kariba almost nicked it in the 80th minute, but heroic defending from the home side kept the scoreline level.
In a frantic finish, Andrew Mbeba’s free-kick forced a stunning save from Future Sibanda before Ncube saw another set-piece cannon off the wall.
With the last kick of the game, Adeogun had a golden chance to seal victory, but he skied his effort into the stands, summing up Bosso’s frustrating afternoon.
The final whistle saw ZPC Kariba breathe a sigh of relief while Bosso fans were left muttering about missed chances and what could have been
