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Tshilamoya salvaged a point towards the end of the second half through Graham Ncube.
The Bulawayo giants coach Kelvin Kaindu’s fine start to the 2012 season was almost dented after the Mutare league returnees showed clear intentions of grabbing maximum points in the early stages of this encounter.
With more precision, Buffaloes’’opening goal could have come early in the 12th minute when striker Beaven Chirere capitalised on poor communication between Highlanders defenders Eric Mudzingwa and Innocent Mapuranga but put his effort went wide off the target.
A minute later diminutive Phineas Bhamusi had his thunderbolt parried out for a corner.
Highlanders also created some scoring chances and the most notable came in the 20th minute when impressive Bruce Kangwa’s blistering effort was equaled in artistry by talented Buffaloes goalkeeper Tapuwa Mafunga.
However, Buffaloes had an upset in their sight when lanky defensive linkman Prosper Matizanadzo rose highest to head home Dananai Chinowawa’s cross and propelled his team into the lead.
The Mutare army side were now literally camped in Highlanders half and created a number of clearcut scoring chances but their strikers lacked precision in front of goal.
If they played second fiddle in the opening spell, Bosso turned the tables in the second half and forced Buffaloes onto the back foot.
The hosts had defender and man-of-the match Themba Ndlovu to thank for playing his heart out to shut out the marauding Bosso strikers.
The former Motor Action and Eastern Lions defender stuck to the basics by clearing his lines and displayed great composure despite playing with a porous midfield that was dominated by their opponents.
Buffaloes seemed to be absorbing everything that the visitors were throwing at them.
They were clearly being outplayed in the midfield thus second half substitute Chikaka finally drilled home from close range after a goalmouth melee in the 63rd minute.
Interestingly, both coaches were not amused with the result.
Kaindu noted that his team did not play its usual game owing to the bumpy surface at Sakubva.
“I am not happy with the result at all. I think we were supposed to get maximum points from this match but we just could not play our usual game.
“The pitch is bumpy and I could see my players struggling to adjust. Yes, we were a bit under pressure especially in the first half of the match but I am happy we managed to raise our game.
“We actually managed to take the game to our opponents in the second half and we were just unlucky not to have found the winning goal,” said Kaindu.
His counterpart, Saul Chaminuka, who earlier on angered the home crowd when he withdrew hardworking striker Roy Mwenga, blamed his charges for a poor showing in the second half.
“We started off well but I just could not tell why we were so relaxed in the second half.
“We dominated play in the beginning of the match but we somehow lost composure in the second half and let the opponent to take control.
“Maybe we lacked physically. Otherwise I am not happy with this draw.
“We all know that Highlanders are a big team but that does not count simply because we are in the same league and we had managed to keep them on the back foot especially in the first half. I think we deserved to win,” said Chaminuka.
Teams:
Buffaloes: T Mafunga; D Chinowawa; J Jambo; P Alfasi; T Ndlovu; P Matizanadzo; E Dzumbunu (T Mapara 72nd minute); P Chandisaita; P Bhamusi (L Katongomara 69th minute); B Chirere; R Mwenga (S Nkata 83rd minute):
Highlanders: A Katsande; E Mudzingwa; I Mapuranga; M Mambare; M Maphosa; H Moyo; P Moyo; S Munawa; G Ncube (B Chikaka 46th minute); M Ncube (B Kangwa 46th minute); B Tshuma
Online Reporter