Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
Herentals College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
HIGHLANDERS picked a significant point that could go a long way in helping them avoid the chop after forcing a goalless draw against Herentals College at Rufaro yesterday.
The race for survival, just like the one for the title, is so delicate that every point at this juncture of the marathon counts.
And the Bulawayo giants celebrated the deadlock as it took them to 35 points and leapfrogged CAPS United to ninth on goal difference.
It was a match they could have easily lost or even won, in hindsight, at least.
The Students rarely lose to Highlanders and Bosso coach Pieter De Jongh, fully aware of that, deployed a compact structure.
But they were made to work, and work they did, to scrap the point as their hosts asked too many tough questions.
“A point is a point and we take it,” said De Jongh.
“We knew Herentals is a good team and Highlanders always find it difficult to win against them.
“But we had to do what we could. We take the point and we are happy.
“The point takes us to 35 points which is not bad.”
Herentals College have been impressive all season and they still have their top-four target on and they never showed signs of pressure.
Without their inspirational captain Tino Benza who sat out on his doctor’s advice, the Students were all over their guests but they never got to hit the net.
Right in the opening five minutes, defender Arthur Ndlovu almost beat his own goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda but the veteran goalie reacted fast.
Lot Chiwunga then got a huge opportunity to break the ice but Andrew Mbeba blocked his effort.
At the opposite end, Reason Sibanda shot tamely at Tinotendaishe Takarinda.
If both teams created tighter chances in the opening half, they found it even difficult to fashion them out in the second.
It is the ageless Innocent Benza who almost grabbed the match by its neck when he unleashed a volley that beat Sibanda but looped just over.
His deft touches, as he has done all season, spiced the tense match and in the end even Herentals College coach Paul Benza welcomed the point.
“I think we should take the point,” said Benza.
“It was a tough match and we were playing against one of the giants of local football.
“The chances were very few and far between. We tried to score but we couldn’t and I should say a point was better than losing all three.
“Our top four ambitions remain intact. We should work hard and see where we will be, come the end of the season.”
Now on 44 points, the Students are six points off the top-four places.
Teams:
Herental College: Tinotendaishe Takarinda, Blessed Moyo, Blessing Phiri, Clemence Gobvu, Melvin Mukiwa, Lot Chiwunga, Tinashe Mazambani, Brighton Majarira, Innocent Benza, Prince Mayembe, Ralph Kawon-dera
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Arthur Ndlovu, Brian Mlotshwa, Melikhaya Ncube, Reason Sibanda, Marvin Sibanda, Andrew Mbeba, Darlington Munkuli, Luckmore Mutumbi, Benjamin Adeogun, Atusaye Nyondo
