admin
Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS squandered a chance to open a three-point lead at the top of the table when they laboured to a draw at the weekend, their fifth of the season.
Fired-up FC Platinum, who scored first, pulled a stunning performance against Bosso at Babourfields Stadium. Highlanders had to reply later on to claim a 1-1 draw.
The visitors grabbed the lead through Donald Ngoma in the 25th minute while Bosso bounced back with an intelligent header from Charles Sibanda five minutes before half time.
Bosso’s failure to take their chances has haunted them in the past two Castle Lager Premier Soccer League seasons as evidenced by their successive championship misses on goal difference against Dynamos.
In the 2012 season Bosso recorded 19 wins, 10 draws and one defeat but finished second behind Dynamos on an inferior goal difference.
The memories are still vivid in the minds of the Highlanders faithful who are now questioning Kelvin Kaindu’s men’s killer instinct, tactical discipline and individual character.
Bosso have not won the championship since 2006 when they were under Methembe Ndlovu.
They had a massive recruitment campaign in the off-season which saw them roping in Sibanda, Welcome Ndiweni, Joel Ngodzo, Valentine Ndaba and Kuda Mahachi, to try and reclaim glory but elements of mediocrity still hover over their first team and their pole position on the table seems a fluke.
However, Kaindu says there is no need to panic as the season is still in its infancy.
“The expectations are high, but it’s been tight in the league as the difference on the table shows that we were playing one of the best teams, so I will say a point is better than a defeat and there is no need to be worried, we just have to focus,” he said.
Kaindu said they hope to maintain their good away form which has seen them do better than at their fortress Barbourfields Stadium where they have struggled to win so far.
“We are winning away, so we just have to keep doing that and hope that results at home won’t affect us. But we don’t want to put much focus on that,” said Kaindu.
There were several gaps in the Highlanders team on Sunday with going past right back Simon Munawa as easy as walking in the park, while Erick Mudzingwa, overworked by his non-marking ball playing teammates compounded his woes as usual with stray passes. Milton Ncube, Knox Mutizwa and Ozias Zibande had a bad afternoon.
Mahachi blew hot and cold and must realise that soccer is a team game and release the ball timeously. He no longer has anything to prove for himself but a win with the team is just as good for his rising curriculum vitae.
FC Platinum midfielder maestro Thabani Kamusoko was the difference between the two sides as he gave Highlanders midfielders a torrid afternoon. He just was in a class of his own and gave such a performance that demanded answers from national team coaches why he is not part of their plans.
Despite the draw, Bosso remain on top with 20 points with five wins and as many draws.
FC Platinum remained 10th with 13 points and are yet to win away from home despite being the league’s best passing team.
It was a sad weekend for Bulawayo soccer lovers as the much-touted football fiesta failed to live to its billing.
No city side managed to pick up maximum points as Bantu Rovers were held to a goalless draw by ZPC Kariba while How Mine and Harare City also played another nil-all encounter.
The Chicken Inn gaffer blamed injuries for their failure to collect maximum points against Shabanie Mine whom they held to one-all draw.
“We had a good game and we should have bagged maximum points but we lacked depth in the squad because of injuries,” said coach Joey Antipas yesterday.
The former Motor Action mentor said they are not pressing panic batons yet though they remain three points away from relegation zone.
“Our season so far is not that good, but we are not pressing panic batons yet, but after yesterday’s performance I feel like we are moving in the right direction,” he said.
Dynamos will hope their 1-0 win over Triangle will inspire them, as they prepare for a trip to face hostile Hwange next weekend. Their hosts have had a superb start to the season so far.
Both teams are tied on 19 points and breathing heavily on the neck of pacesetters Highlanders who are a point clear.
Online Reporter