Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THIS was by no margin, Highlanders’ worst performance at Barbourfields Stadium this season.
The signs of collapse were evident long before the final whistle, as fans streamed towards the exits with 10 minutes left to play, disillusioned and disheartened.
Herentals delivered a result that was as much a psychological blow to Bosso as it was a footballing one, a 1–0 win that brought an end to Highlanders’ unbeaten home run in the league.
It was a goal early in the second half from Ralph Kawondera, capitalising on a calamitous defensive error by Arthur Ndlovu, that ultimately separated the two sides
But the final score tells only part of the story.
Highlanders, dominant in possession and chances in the opening 45 minutes, imploded spectacularly after the interval.
“We lost it from the warm-up,” said an honest Kelvin Kaindu, whose frustrations mirrored those of the home support.
“We lacked something. As a coach, you can tell from the way the team is doing warm-up that it’s going to be a difficult day. We looked a bit rusty. Tactically and in strength they looked far ahead of us.”
The opening exchanges suggested otherwise.
Bosso were energetic, enterprising, and aggressive, particularly through the efforts of Mafios Chihweta and Brighton Ncube.
As early as the seventh minute, Chihweta stung the palms of the Herentals goalkeeper with a low strike from the edge of the box.
Minutes later, he found himself in space again, this time from a Malvern Hativagoni delivery, but dragged his shot inches wide.
In the 12th minute, he had another glorious chance but skied his curler over the bar.
Herentals, though largely under pressure, showed signs of resilience. Wilmore Chimbetu tested Raphael Pitisi early on with a low drive, but the Bosso goal keeper reacted sharply.
Midway through the first half, Bosso’s dominance began to lose its edge. A lack of precision in the final third, combined with growing frustration in the stands, saw the intensity drop.
Never Rauzhi and Reason Sibanda both had chances to convert from promising positions but failed to trouble the keeper.
Then came the turning point. Two minutes after the restart, Kawondera struck.
A lapse in concentration from Ndlovu saw the ball sit up kindly for the Herentals midfielder, who needed no second invitation. His finish was crisp, his celebration defiant, a dagger to the heart of the Bosso faithful.
From that moment on, the confidence drained from Highlanders. Herentals grew into the game, managing both the tempo and the crowd with surprising maturity.
“It’s a deserved victory,” said Herentals coach Celestino Benza. “We are very happy because we have managed to beat Highlanders again. Last year we won here for the first time, and now we’ve done it again. These three points are very important for us, especially for the confidence of our new players.”
Benza was quick to credit his side’s mental approach. “I always tell my boys: if you manage the crowd and make sure the team with the big support doesn’t create clear-cut chances, you’ll turn that crowd against them. That’s what we did today, and it worked.”
Highlanders did have a few moments to draw level. In the 74th minute, Rauzhi forced a strong save from Tinotendaishe Takarinda, who had earlier been booked for time wasting. A minute later, a curling effort from Andrew Mbeba was cleared off the line by Tinotenda Benza, son of the coach, who once again played a pivotal role.
The frustration reached boiling point just after the half-hour mark when a tackle from Mason Mushore on Clemence Gobvu triggered a minute-long melee involving players from both teams. Referee Thabani Ruzario handled the situation calmly, but was the subject of fierce protests from the Bosso players moments later, as they felt a foul on Rauzhi had been ignored in the build-up.
Despite a late push from the hosts, including long-range efforts from Chihweta and substitute Hlalani Dube, Herentals’ disciplined backline and clever game management held firm. This was no smash-and-grab. It was a carefully executed performance that deserved its reward.
For Highlanders, the defeat compounds the disappointment of last week’s 2–1 loss to ZPC Kariba. With back-to-back defeats and murmurs of discontent growing louder among the fan base, the pressure on Kaindu is beginning to mount. Bosso, once top of the table, are now in danger of slipping out of contention if this continues.
Teams:
Highlanders:
Raphael Pitisi (gk), Arthur Ndlovu, Melikhaya Ncube, Reason Sibanda (Prince Ndlovu, 57mins), Malvern Hativagoni, Brighton Ncube (Mbonisi Ncube, 68mins), Mason Mushore (Tendai Muvuti, 77mins), Never Rauzhi (Never Rauzhi, 77mins), Achford Faira (Andrew Mbeba, 57mins), Luckmore Mutumbi, Mafios Chihweta.
Herentals:
Tinotendaishe Takarinda (gk), Wilmore Chimbetu, Tawanda Chisi, Tinashe Mupumha, Ralph Kawondera, Erick Dombo (Zibusiso Rugucu, 68mins), Brighton Majarira, Melvin Mukuwa, Clemence Govu (Blessing Phiri, 46mins), Innocent Benza (John Zhuwawu, 46mins), Tinotenda Benza (Panashe Kanavheti, 90mins).
