adminPint-sized Kudakwashe Mahachi haunted Highlanders again with a gem of a goal as early as the sixth minute before the hard working Milton Ncube, so full of running the whole afternoon, came up with his own brilliant goal in the 25th minute.
Highlanders’ winless in the last five matches, showed their intentions of stopping their noisy neighbours as early as the second minute when Mthulisi Maphosa broke loose inside the box after being set up by Milton.
The battle hardened Maphosa moved a step towards the Chicken Inn goal and in a flash, let loose a lawnmower that beat a diving Njabulo Nyoni, in goal for Chicken Inn, but could not beat the upright post.
A minute later Simon Munawa, playing as a holding midfielder, dispatched a dipping and cheeky volley that forced Nyoni to punch it back into play. Trying to hold it firmly would have been suicidal.
Against run of play, the home side stuck and what a beauty it was.
Mahachi was given plenty of space by Erick Mudzingwa, who was playing on the left back position in place of the suspended Bruce Kangwa.
And as Mudzingwa was trying to close in to avert danger, the ginger-haired left-footed player released a shot that shook the nets and shock the Highlanders fans.
There was little that Ariel Sibanda could have done to block it.
Unlike in previous sessions, the Highlanders supporters stood behind their boys and encouraged them to move on as there was still time to recover. Bruce Tshuma almost presented Marshal Marima with a golden opportunity to score after he failed to control a pass, resulting in the ball falling on the path of Marima who charged towards goal but failed to beat an advancing Sibanda.
From there on both teams exhibited some exciting and methodical build-ups, especially Brian Juru who had a good day in the office as well as Bosso skipper Innocent Mapuranga whose game is on the rise of late after a rather deep in form.
In one of those methodical build-ups, Tshuma won possession and lobbed the ball towards Milton, who was being marked by Guide Goddard and Zephania Ngodzo.
Milton shook off the challenge of Moses Jackson before going for glory and glory it was.
Fans were now sensing an avalanche of goals but the first half goals proved to be the last as the second half never really produced as much excitement as the first.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu brought in Beavan Chikaka for Heritein Masuku in a rather surprising change before later on throwing in new boy Gabriel Nyoni for Njabulo Ncube. The boy showed some fine touches and he looks to be always alert, especially in his take off.
“He gave a good account of himself,” said Kaindu.
On the match itself, the Zambian bemoaned the continued missed chances by his boys but was happy that they managed to get a goal.
“We still mourn those missed chances but I am happy that at least we managed to get a goal, we need to have some composure when going for goal,” said Kaindu.
His counterpart Mandla Mpofu said he was not complaining much as he has picked up four points from a big club like Highlanders.
“The reality is that it was always going to be difficult to complete a double over a club like Highlanders, we are happy with the draw,” said Mpofu.
Meanwhile, Chicken Inn are likely to be hauled before the PSL disciplinary committee after they used an unofficial entry point.
Highlanders also found their dressing room locked.
Online Reporter