Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira At Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 1-1 Yadah
HIGHLANDERS were left to reflect on a game of two halves as they surrendered a first-half advantage to draw 1-1 with relegation rivals Yadah Stars at Barbourfields yesterday.
Bosso dominated early on but failed to use home advantage, allowing the visitors to grow in confidence and claim a deserved point.
Bosso took the lead midway through the first half and looked in control until the hour mark.
Second-half substitute Jerry Chipangura levelled matters for the visitors just six minutes after coming on to salvage a crucial point for the Miracle Boys.
The draw was yet another frustrating result for the Bulawayo giants, who dominated the opening 45 minutes but were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal.
“It was a very good game. In the first half we had lots of control of the game,” said Highlanders coach Pieter de Jongh. “But then we had an injury to Andrew Mbeba who was the captain and leader on the pitch. We had chances even in the 94th minute which we should have buried.”
Bosso’s opener came in the 23rd minute when Reason Sibanda received a defence-splitting pass from Melikhaya Ncube and calmly slotted past Tymon Mvula in goals for Yadah.
Before that, Highlanders had looked lively, with Mvelo Khoza’s early corner falling kindly for Ncube, who volleyed over.
Tanaka Chikumba had a header go wide from a Shingai Masukuta cross, though he was flagged offside, while Sibanda’s first headed attempt in the 19th minute was blocked inside the box.
After the opener, Bosso nearly doubled their lead when Nigerian forward Benjamin Adeogun fired into the side-netting in first-half stoppage time.
He had the option to square off to unmarked Never Rauzhi but opted for glory.
Yadah grew into the game in the second half, aided by Highlanders’ decision to sit deep and protect their lead.
Maxwell Jongwe’s tactical changes made the difference. Chipangura was introduced in the 63rd minute and pounced six minutes later, slotting home from close range after Bosso failed to clear their lines.
“Of course, it’s a game of football — they had one or two chances but we adjusted and took control. With a bit of luck, either of the two teams could have come away with the win.”
Bosso had late chances to restore their lead, with Prince Ndlovu forcing a fine save from Mvula and Brighton Ncube squandering a golden opportunity inside the box.
But it was Chipangura who came closest to snatching all three points, dragging his shot wide in the 89th minute with only the goalkeeper to beat.
“Our goalkeeper kept us in the game,” added Jongwe.
“He saved us but we also got our chances where we got over-excited or hurried — we could have also won the game.”
The result leaves both teams still dangerously close to the drop zone, with Highlanders especially needing to find consistency to avoid being dragged deeper into the relegation scrap.
