Chronicle EditorInnocent Kurira, [email protected]
HIGHLANDERS suffered their first defeat of the season in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, but coach Kelvin Kaindu was grateful for other results, which saw the top three teams on the table failing to collect maximum points.
Bosso would have had a four-point lead if they had won their match against Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday, as second-placed Simba Bhora were sunk by a solitary Never Rauzhi strike against Bulawayo Chiefs at Luveve Stadium.
Former champions FC Platinum could not register a victory after they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Bikita Minerals. After seven rounds of fixtures, Highlanders remain top of the table with 14 points.
The weekend’s action saw the least number of goals this season, with only 10 being scored.
The highest number of goals was in Week Six with 24.
Visits to Bulawayo seem not to be bearing fruit for Simba Bhora, as the last time they were in town they lost 1-0 to Highlanders.
If they are to win the league as they have declared, coach Tonderai Ndiraya will have to break the Bulawayo jinx.
FC Platinum have a game at the PSL disciplinary committee after their match against Caps United did not run the distance following crowd trouble by the Harare team’s supporters, who protested a disallowed goal.
However, Chicken Inn exposed what could be Bosso’s weakness in their 2-1 win. The Bosso defence had never been tested until yesterday and the Chicken Inn high press exposed the Bosso backline.
With Bosso trying to build from the back, their defenders were jittery and usually reliable goalkeeper, Ariel Sibanda was found wanting in both goals.
The two goals against Chicken Inn are the highest they have conceded in a league match this season.
In total, they have only conceded five goals in seven matches.
“We thank God for the other results, but we want to focus on our performances. We don’t want to gauge our performance based on what other teams are doing. I think if we had won, it would have given us a better advantage.
“Unfortunately, we are not going to win all the games, but we are happy that slowly we are showing we can also play good football. We are happy that Lynoth Chikuhwa is always on target. We hope and pray he keeps his scoring form,” said Kaindu.
In the capital, Dynamos edged TelOne through an Emmanuel Paga goal.
Midweek fixtures are scheduled for tomorrow and Thursday.
Fixtures
Tomorrow: Telone v Bulawayo Chiefs (Bata Stadium), Ngezi Platinum v Yadah (Baobab Stadium),
Chicken Inn v Hwange (Luveve Stadium), Herentals v Highlanders (Rufaro Stadium) FC Platinum v
ZPC Kariba (Mandava Stadium), Bikita Minerals v Simba Bhora FC ( Sakubva Stadium)
Thursday: Chegutu Pirates v Dynamos (Baobab Stadium), CAPS United v GreenFuel (Rufaro Stadium),
Arenel Movers (Luveve Stadium)
—@innocentskizoe
Online Reporter