Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo,Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Barbourfields cauldron is boiling, but the net remains untouched.
An electric first half in the fierce Bulawayo derby between Highlanders and Chicken Inn ended in a goalless stalemate, with both giants throwing heavy punches but failing to land the knockout blow.
Bosso nearly roared to an early lead in the fifth minute when Mvelo Khoza unleashed a stinging rocket from distance, forcing Donovan Bernard to pull off a flying save and tip the ball over for a corner.
But the Gamecocks clapped back just moments later. Captain Xolani Ndlovu delivered a peach of a cross that found Brian Muza steaming in, but the striker fluffed his lines in front of goal.
By the eighth minute, Muza was at it again. This time he connected with a delicious ball from Genius Mutungamiri, but sent his shot narrowly wide, silencing Chicken Inn fans who had already started celebrating.
In the 13th minute, Bosso’s Never Rauzhi nearly punished a lapse in Chicken Inn’s defence, sneaking into the box only to be brought down before he could pull the trigger. The referee wasn’t interested.
The tempo refused to die. In the 38th minute, Rauzhi acrobatically flipped a pass into the path of Brighton Ncube, but the striker’s rushed finish flew into the skies.
Chicken Inn responded immediately, with Muza testing Reward Muza, but the Bosso shot-stopper collected calmly, adding to the crowd’s frustration.
It’s been a bruising first 45 minutes with tackles flying, chances galore, and tension thick in the air. Highlanders and Chicken Inn know what’s at stake pride, points, and city bragging rights.
All eyes now turn to the second half, where one mistake or moment of brilliance could settle it all.
Starting XIs
Highlanders: Reward Muza (gk), Mvelo Khoza, Talent Dube, Brian Mlotshwa, Mckinnon Mushore, Melikhaya Ncube, Prince Ndlovu, Brighton Ncube, Andrew Mbeba, Never Rauzhi, Hubert Ncube
Chicken Inn: Donovan Bernard (gk), Lincoln Mangaira, Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Itai Mabhunu, Xolani Ndlovu, Dominic Jaricha, Michael Charamba, Brian Muza, Brendon Rendo, Genius Mutungamiri, George Majika
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