Vusumuzi Dube
Brandon Moyo Zimpapers Sports Hub
Highlanders 1-1 Yadah Stars
HIGHLANDERS were held to a one-all draw by fellow relegation threatened Yadah Stars in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter played at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulawayo giants broke the deadlock halfway through the first half while the Miracle Boys leveled matters just after the hour mark in a game that both sides had their own fair share of chances.
Bosso dominated the first half while the second stanza belonged to the visitors.
Reason Sibanda broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute after he was put through on goal by a defense splitting pass from Melikhaya Ncube.
With the goalkeeper only left to beat, Sibanda made no mistake from close range to put Bosso in front.
Yadah Stars’ second half changes paid dividends as Jerry Chipangura slotted home from close range in the 69th minute, just three minutes after he was brought into the field of play.
Chipangura’s goal salvaged a crucial away point for the Miracle Boys.
The hosts had a better start to game as they created numerous chances although they could not find the back of the net early on.
Nine minutes into the game, Mvelo Khoza sent in a brilliant cross from the corner kick which felt onto Melikhaya Ncube as a rebound but the Bosso midfielder could not direct his volley, from outside the box, on target.
Five minutes later, Tanaka Chikumba received a brilliant cross from Shingai Masukuta which he headed wide. Although he was adjudged to be offside, Chikumba was unmarked in the box.
In the 19th minute, Khoza sent in yet another brilliant corner kick which met Reason Sibanda but the striker’s headed effort was blocked by the Miracle Boys’ defense.
The home side continued their search for the opener with Marvin Sibanda feeding Mason Mushore a pass on the right side only for the latter so send in a poor cross into the middle.
Moments after Bosso had broken the deadlock, Yadah came close to leveling matters when Ariel Makopa jumped the highest to connect with a corner kick only to be denied by the crossbar. Evan’s Rusike’s rebound was also blocked by the alert Bosso defense.
Highlanders’ captain, Andrew Mbeba managed to see off the first half although he was now limping for the better part of the game.
Benjamin Adeogun came close to doubling Highlanders’ lead at the stroke of half time but his short from outside the box hit the side-net. The Nigerian also had a chance to pass to an unmarked Never Rauzhi but decided to go for goal.
Moments later, King Nadolo dribbled past the Bosso defense before the ball eventully landed in the path of Evans Rusike who shot wide from outside the box.
The second half started as a dull affair as Bosso sat back, defending their narrow advantage, a decision which proved costly at the end.
At the hour mark, second half substitute Donald Mlilo came close to drawing the Miracle Boys level with a turn and shoot effort from inside the box only to be denied by Ariel Sibanda.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Bosso got a freekick in a promising position only for Khoza to send his shot over the bar.
Moments later, Prince Ndlovu came close again for the Bulawayo giants with a brilliant shot from inside the box only to be denied by an equally good Taimon Mvula save who punched the effort from a corner kick.
The corner went to waste although the hosts came close to restoring their lead only to be led down by poor decision making.
Chipangura would have sealed a win for Yadah in the 89th minute when he pounced on a loose ball inside the box, unmarked. With the keeper only left to beat, he shot wide.
Ariel Sibanda was kept busy and denied Shingai Masukuta before Bosso attacked only for Brighton Ncube to waste a glorious chance inside the box.
Teams:
Highlanders:
A. Sibanda (gk), M Khoza, T Dube, A. Ndlovu, M. Ncube, R. Sibanda, M. Sibanda (P Ndlovu, 65mins), A Mbeba (B Mlotshwa, 46mins), M Mushore, N Rauzhi (T Muvuti, 81mins), B Odeogun (B Ncube 81mins)
Yadah:
T Mvula (gk), A Makopa (S Mewali, 74mins), A Gwatidzo, E Rusike, R Ncube (D Mlilo, 46mins), I Muchaneka, E Chitauro, T Chikumba (J Chipangura, 63mins), S Masukuta, K Nadolo (A Dzingai, 63mins), T Vereta.
Online Reporter