Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira and Nkosilathi Sibanda at Barbourfields
Highlanders 0-0 Ngezi Platinum
HIGHLANDERS Starboy missed a sitter in the second half that capped off a frustrating afternoon for Highlanders and at the same time ensured Ngezi Platinum extended their unbeaten run in the league to 13 games.
Again Bosso were let down by their ineffectiveness in in front of goal.
The chief culprit this time, Mongameli Tshuma.
Having beaten several defenders, the midfielder, instead of unleashing a shot at goal, chose to try and dribble his way into the back of the net and was eventually blocked, much to the frustration of Highlanders fans who had counted that one. But this only added to the frustrating afternoon for Highlanders fans.
Speaking after the game, Bosso coach Benjani Mwaruwari was visibly disappointed.
“It was a clear chance to score than to miss,” he said.
“In the last game I made substitutions, and it worked perfectly. This week maybe I made bad substitutions, but I am also human.”
Ngezi Platinum coach Kumbirayi Mutiwekuziwa said: “Its a point gained for us given the opponents that we were facing, which are Highlanders here at Barbourfields Stadium. Also taking into consideration the form Highlanders have been in. I am proud of the performance of the boys,” said Mutiwekuziwa.
For the better part of the match, the odds were in favour of Highlanders, whose attacking ploy was consistent but lacked the killer instinct.
The home side charged in the first minute, earning a corner kick, off a good run of play from Darlington Mukuli, whose ball had caught up with Benjamin Adeogun. The effort from the corner kick yielded nothing.
At that moment, the match was balanced, with Ngezi Platinum trying to contain Bosso’s play in the midfield.
In the sixth minute, Bosso’s Lawrence Mhlanga was given a yellow card by referee Kwanele Manenda as Ngezi Platinum had gone with speed upfront, with Qadr Amin getting the better of Mhlanga.
Ngezi Platinum’s Malvin Gaki made sure he kept the Bosso midfield in check. Bosso’s Rainsome Pavari was booked for a yellow after he pulled down Brooklyn Katumba at the centre of the park, in the 10th minute.
Royn Nyamono almost scored from a well-crossed ball by Adeogun in the 13th minute. His header, however, went wide.
Mongameli, who had a quiet first half, played it safe, interchanging passes with Pavari, Nyamono and Prince Ndlovu.
Bosso had three corner kicks on the trot, but Ngezi Platinum survived and regrouped.
Equally, Ngezi Platinum’s charges were threatening to upset Bosso in their backyard. Adeogun got another chance at goal in the 24th minute, but his shot was targeted at the far post and went too wide.
The visitors’ workhorses in the first 45 minutes were Tanaka Munemo, Spenser Mugarini, Katumba and Orlando Zvavarevi.
Then came the moment that brought Highlanders fans off their seats in the 56th minute.
Tshuma, with his agility and sheer ball control, found himself in the goal yard, beating well his marker but getting a poor end product.
Coach Benjani Mwaruwari’s strategy was a shift toward goals.
In the middle of the substitutions, again, there was some brilliant play from Highlanders. Tshuma dribbled, letting forward the ball, only to be blocked by the Ngezi Platinum defence. The ball movement was awesome.
Nyamono was given a rest, and in his place came Akim Nkoko in the 66th minute.
The last quarter of the match had tension. The search for a goal added the pressure on both sides.
The fans went quiet, watching how it would unfold. Mwaruwari had to bring in Brighton Ncube for Adeogun.
But in the end, it was a deadlock.
