adminRicky Zililo in BULAWAYO
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 2
Chiredzi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
STAND-IN Highlanders coach Mark Mathe heaved a huge sigh of relief yesterday as the Bulawayo giants ended their seven-match winless streak in all competitions.
During their search for an end to a disastrous run, Highlanders were beaten 0-3 by Harare City in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals.
Ozias Zibande struck a brace at Hartsfield to hand Bosso their third victory in the second half of the season against a 10-man Chiredzi FC.
This was Mathe’s fourth league game in charge following Kelvin Kaindu’s resignation after a string of poor results.
It was a victory that the former champions have been hoping for as pressure has been mounting with every passing week, but they had to labour for their win as Chiredzi FC kept them on the edge of their seats with an inspired second half performance.
On the quarter-hour mark an alert Zibande quickly reacted to poke a rebound home after Chiredzi FC’s goalkeeper Simon Kafitire had failed to deal with a Valentine Ndaba grounder off a Gabriel Nyoni cross from the right.
Nine minutes later Zibande headed home a Knox Mutizwa cross from the right after a beautiful buildup involving Mthulisi Maphosa and Nyoni.
“This victory didn’t come easy as we have been playing well of late, seeing positives but today we managed to grind the result,” said Mathe.
“Goals could have been more but we have to work on our conversion rate as well as our defending.
“We took (our foot) off the pedal towards the end of the first half and in the second stanza Chiredzi FC came out of their shell and they scored.”
In the second half Charles Sibanda, who missed the 1-3 loss at Hwange due to disciplinary issues, narrowly missed the upright in the 54th minute off a Ndaba cross.
A lapse in concentration at the back allowed Chiredzi FC to pull one back through Sam Msimbu who controlled a Malvern Gaki cross before leaving Munyaradzi Diya for dead and slotting into an empty net in the 66th minute.
The goal unsettled the hosts with Gaki giving Highlanders’ defence a tough time.
Sensing danger, Mathe introduced youngsters Godfrey Makaruse, Mgcini Sibanda and King Nadolo for Mutizwa, Nyoni and Ndaba.
Chiredzi FC ended the game playing with 10 men following a red card given to Katifire in the 86th minute and, by then, they had used all their substitutes, and the visiting coach Gishon Ntini called his players off in protest.
After a nine-minute stoppage, defender Tatenda Kanyemba took the gloves and play resumed with another drama that saw Muneri Muchineripi throw a bottle on Ntini after an altercation.
Teams
Highlanders
M. Diya, S. Munawa, B. Kangwa, F. Chindungwe, D. Ndlovu, M. Maphosa, K. Mutizwa (G. Makaruse, 69th min), V. Ndaba (K. Nadolo, 81st min), C. Sibanda, G. Nyoni (M. Sibanda, 74th min), O. Zibande
Chiredzi FC
S. Kafitire, T. Mutete (T. Ndlovu, 71st min), D. Bakali, G. Kwaramba (M. Gaki, 46th min), M. Chinembeza, M. Muchineripi, T. Mfungu (K. Nyamupfukudza, 80th min), T. Muyendi, S. Msimbu, T. Kanyemba, D. Sengu
Online Reporter