adminSTRUGGLING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Quelaton brewed a shocker by snatching a point from high-flying Highlanders at Barbourfields yesterday.
It was a game where Highlanders took their unbeaten run run to 14 league games.
Highlanders drew first blood in the 12th minute, through a header by Milton Ncube, who got to the end of a Lawson Nkomo cross from the right.
Quelaton’s central defenders, Zibusiso Sibanda and Sikhumbulani Dube, should take the blame for the goal as they remained stagnant and watched Ncube attacking the ball.
However, Quelaton, who are glued at the bottom of the log with five points from 15 games, should also be commended for not throwing in the towel even when they were a goal down.
Eddy Nkulungo equalised for Quelaton in the 28th minute with a volley from the edge of the box that beat Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.
Nkulungo had capitalised on a mix-up in the box that saw Bosso failing to clear the ball to safety leaving the midfielder ample time to pick his spot.
The goal silenced Highlanders’ followers with a handful of Quelaton sympathisers celebrating.
Yesterday’s result was the first point for Quelaton gaffer, Philani ‘Beefy’ Ncube, since taking charge five games ago.
He has seen Quelaton lose by an identical 1-0 scorelines to Hardbody, Buffaloes and Dynamos.
Before taking on Bosso, Quelaton were smarting from a 3-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Black Mambas.
Philani was hopeful that the result could be a turning point for his team.
“We are still at the bottom of the log but maybe this point might give us something to build on.
“Highlanders are a good side and drawing with a team that is playing good football is great.
“We lost to teams that were not playing as good as Highlanders,” Philani said.
Highlanders could have taken the lead as early as the third minute when Masimba Mambare sent a cross to an unmarked Peter ‘Rio’ Moyo in the box who failed to control the ball and beat goalkeeper Winston Chiwetu.
Moyo, who is having a dream Premiership debut in Highlanders colours, had a subdued game.
Quelaton’s first threat at the Highlanders end was in the 10th minute after former AmaZulu and Hwange defender Prince Ncube sent a long pass to striker Tedius Mugumanya who hurried his shot to the terraces.
Two minutes later the former champions scored through Milton.
Mambare could have doubled Highlanders’ lead in the 20th minute after Chiwetu and his defenders failed to deal with Nkomo’s cross but Dube recovered in time to clear a goal-bound shot for corner.
Two minutes later, Nkulungo switched play to the right where Innocent Kutsanzira headed the ball into play but Kundishora Chakanyuka headed over the bar.
With former national Under-20 utility player, Pride Zireni, Kutsanzira and Nkulungo enjoying themselves in the midfield, it was only a matter of time before Quelaton found an equaliser and it was Nkulungo’s blistering effort that found the back of the net in the 28th minute.
Highlanders’ search for a winner did not yield results as Bhekimpilo Ncube, Moyo and Milton took turns to miss as they failed to control the ball unmarked in the box on numerous occasions.
Highlanders might have felt hard done after referee Happy Sibanda turned down their penalty appeal after Graham Ncube was brought down in the box by Chiwetu who went for the man instead of the ball.
Sibanda then gave Graham a yellow card to the fans’ utter disgust.
Chiwetu made a double save off Innocent Mapuranga’s attempts in the 78th minute.
Bosso had won a freekick on the left side and Maphosa sent in a cross which Mapuranga headed forcing Chiwetu to punch back the ball into his path and the Highlanders’ captain tried to go for that rebound, which was again saved by the goalkeeper.
Nine minutes before full-time Bhekimpilo missed another glorious scoring chance, with only Chiwetu to beat, but took too long to go for goal as he fumbled a neat pass from the right and Kwela Kwela’s defenders cleared the ball to safety. Two minutes later Chiwetu pulled another save as he denied Milton his second goal. Highlanders coach, Kelvin Kaindu, said their game plan was affected by losing two of their defenders
Dumisani ‘Fazo’ Ndlovu in the 40th minute and Nkomo at the stroke of the hour through injury.
Mapuranga came in for Ndlovu who had a deep cut on his forehead with At last Musasa coming in for Nkomo.
“I knew that since it was a derby the game was going to be difficult for us and a point is good for the team.
“Our plan was affected after we were forced to make two substitutions,” said Kaindu.
Teams
Quelaton: W Chiwetu, W Chirambi, S Dube, Z Sibanda, E Nkulungo, I Kutsanzira, G Mleya, K Chakanyuka (M Moyo 45th minute), T Mugumanya, P Zireni, P Ncube
Highlanders: A Sibanda, L Nkomo (A Musasa, 50th minute), E Mudzingwa, D Ndlovu (I Mapuranga, 40th minute), B Kangwa, M Maphosa, P Moyo (B Chikaka, 66th minute), B Ncube, M Ncube, G Ncube, M Mambare
Online Reporter