dyton mupawaenda
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) 4
Kwekwe United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
BRIGHTON “MaNinja” Ncube’s sensational hat-trick was the highlight of the game as Highlanders dismissed Kwekwe United 4-0 in their first home match of the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
The striker’s goals played a pivotal role in the comfortable victory, making him the first player to score a hat-trick this season. It was also his first hat-trick in Bosso colours.
The game got off to a fast start, and it was Highlanders who struck first.
In the second minute, a brilliant cross from Mason Mushore found Melikhaya Ncube inside the box, and the midfielder made no mistake, heading the ball past Kwekwe goalkeeper Elton Nechirwe to give the hosts a lead.
Highlanders were relentless in their pursuit of a second goal, and it came in the 15th minute. After a dazzling solo run into the box, MaNinja was brought down by a Kwekwe United defender, earning a penalty for the home side.
The Bosso forward stepped up to take the spot-kick and sent Nechirwe the wrong way to double his side’s lead.
The match took a significant turn in the 26th minute when Kwekwe United’s goalkeeper, Nechirwe, was sent off for handling the ball outside the penalty area to deny Reason Sibanda a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men, and Highlanders capitalised on that and continued to dominate possession and pressing for more goals.
On the stroke of half-time, MaNinja completed his brace.
McKinnon Mushore played a perfectly timed pass through to Brighton, who finished with composure into the bottom right corner, extending Highlanders’ lead to 3-0.
It was a fitting end to a dominant first-half performance from Bosso.
In the second half, Highlanders showed no signs of letting up.
In the 68th minute, Brighton completed his hat-trick, converting his second penalty of the day. The referee awarded the penalty after Sibanda was brought down inside the box.
Brighton stepped up once again, keeping his cool and sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to seal a 4-0 victory for Highlanders.
Bosso coach Kelvin Kaindu was delighted with the victory.
“Looking at how difficult it was in terms of preparation, I think it was a positive response. We managed to score four and keep a clean sheet. We looked a bit stable; we didn’t allow the opponents to create those chances. We relaxed a bit when they were a man down; we allowed them to play in the midfield, but what is positive is we had a bit of flair, and we are seeing signs of improvement from the first game.
“Having a player score three goals is a positive for us. Even last year, MaNinja played an important role for us to produce a top goal scorer. He has started positively, and for him to score three goals while not being 100 percent fit is a positive development. He started training last week,” said Kaindu.
Kwekwe United coach Saul Chaminuka felt his team had a slow start to the game.
“We started the game slow. We could have conceded more,” said Chaminuka.
With a numerical disadvantage, Kwekwe United struggled to mount a serious challenge. Highlanders created a few more chances, including a miss from Sibanda in the 50th minute, but the game was already well beyond reach by then. Brighton also had a great run in the 60th minute, but his cross into the box was intercepted by substitute goalkeeper Lenon Gonese.
At full-time, the Highlanders supporters celebrated a resounding victory, with Brighton Ncube receiving the plaudits for his stunning hat-trick.
Online Reporter