Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 1-0 Bikita Minerals
BRIGHTON Ncube’s first half strike ensured that Highlanders collect maximum points at home as they narrowly beat Bikita Minerals in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter on Wednesday.
Ncube’s curler in the 19th minute made the difference in a match which Bosso dominated.
This is Bosso’s third victory at home in four outings this season. They only drew once at home, so far.
The game started as an evenly balanced affair with both teams enjoying a fair share of chances.
The home side started brightly and nearly took the lead as early as the 7th minute following a brilliant interchange of play inside the box, but they failed to capitalise.
In the 16th minute, Highlanders came even closer when Marvin Sibanda’s free-kick was punched back into play by Bikita Minerals goalkeeper Tenera Taona. The rebound fell kindly for Ncube, who set up Reason Sibanda with a clever pass, only for Sibanda’s effort to rattle the woodwork.
Moments later, Never Rauzhi laid off a neat pass to Reason Sibanda inside the box, but the midfielder failed to find the target, shooting wide.
Bosso were awarded another promising free-kick in the 23rd minute. Marvin Sibanda took responsibility once again but blazed his effort over the bar.
Bikita Minerals, despite trailing, have had their own moments. In the 27th minute, a brilliant passage of play opened up space for Tadiwanashe Musariramwa to break through on goal, but he was unable to beat Highlanders goalkeeper Reward Muza in a one-on-one situation.
Shortly after, Musariramwa turned provider from a corner kick, delivering a pinpoint cross that found Tadiwanashe Nyakope, whose powerful header was superbly saved by Muza.
The visitors squandered yet another clear-cut chance when Nyakope, unmarked inside the box and on the end of a
Spencer Mugariri pass, fired wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The second half was rather drab with both teams failing to replicate their first half performances.
In the 49th minute Brighton Ncube let loose a shot from outside the box which looked like a harmless effort but needed Bikita Minerals goalkeeper Tenera Taona to be at his best to make a low safe.
In the 61th minute minute lively Marlvin Hativagoni sent in an inviting cross for a free Reason Sibanda who could not direct his on goal.
From there, none of the two sides managed to create any clear-cut chances.
