Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
Highlanders……………………………………………….0
MWOS……………………………………………………(0) 1
SALIF Cheya knows how to hurt Highlanders.
For the second time this season, the forward scored the only goal to help newcomers MWOS defeat Bosso and complete back-to-back victories over the Bulawayo giants.
An 87th winner by second half substitute Cheya, from a Wilson Mensah cross, sealed all points for MWOS as they reclaimed pole position from reigning champions Simba Bhora.
Cheya was part of a 61st minute double substitution with Jeremiah Makangaira to replace Tafadzwa George and Billy Veremu and completed his double against Bosso this season.
In the reverse fixture at Baobab on the opening weekend of the season, MWOS survived countless raids from Highlanders to win 1-0 with Cheya securing a maiden win with a 61st minute strike.
With their 10th win in 18 matches, MWOS have 37 points and one more than Simba Bhora while Highlanders suffered their third defeat in four matches at Barbourfields to stay ninth with 23 points.
Coach Lloyd Mutasa felt the match was difficult and was grateful for the late winner.
“Like I had said before the match, playing against Highlanders is never easy. It was a difficult game. They created chances but, unfortunately for them, they did not convert them and then we got a goal from one of the few chances we got.
“That made the difference.”
He is, however, still claiming that his mission is to survive relegation.
“In terms of depth, we don’t have enough depth although we can manage the five substitutes per game we have. But then wanting to go all the way, it will be a bit difficult as we saw last week against Ngezi Platinum when we were missing two of our regulars.
“Their absence made the difference. But I think it’s all about the vision of the team if we survive relegation. Additions or subtractions will depend on what target the team has,” said Mutasa.
Highlanders were playing their first match since firing Kelvin Kaindu and there was no immediate change of fortunes as they continued to dominate play but fail to convert the numerous opportunities before MWOS pounced.
Interim coach, Try Ncube, said they did not deserve to lose the match. “Overally, we played very well. We created chances, we controlled the midfield, we dominated proceedings, but the difference was us failing to convert chances while the opponent scored right at the death.”
Next for Ncube is a trip to Gweru for a date with bottom-placed newcomers, Kwekwe United, and he hopes to inspire the players to get their act together and end the slide as they now have the second worst record among the 18 Premiership teams over the last seven weeks.
“It’s all about encouraging them because the boy really fought very hard, they played so well but we can’t look for excuses. We lost, but I don’t think it is a true reflection of what was happening on the pitch,” said Ncube.
derick.khumalo