Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
HIGHLANDERS’ season continues to be defined by one stubborn statistic — another draw.
Bosso were held to a 1-1 draw by defending champions Simba Bhora at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday, recording their 12th stalemate of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign. It was an afternoon that followed a now-familiar script for the Bulawayo giants: a sluggish start, a spirited response and, despite creating enough chances to claim victory, another frustrating result that left them wondering what might have been.
Blessing Ndereki gave Simba Bhora the lead in the 29th minute after racing onto a defence-splitting pass from Adrian Silla, before Royn Nyamono rescued a point for Highlanders with a stunning long-range effort.
The scoreline, however, told only part of the story.
Simba Bhora goalkeeper William Thole delivered an inspired performance between the posts, producing a string of outstanding saves to keep Highlanders at bay. It took a moment of real quality from Nyamono to finally beat him as the visitors absorbed relentless pressure, particularly in the second half.
Highlanders started brightly and should have broken the deadlock midway through the first half. Benjamin Adeogun combined well with Isaac Ngoma before seeing his low effort superbly saved by Thole. Moments later, Ngoma found himself through on goal after capitalising on a defensive lapse, only for the Simba Bhora shot-stopper to once again come to his side’s rescue.
Those missed opportunities proved costly.
Against the run of play, Silla unlocked the Highlanders defence with a perfectly weighted pass that released Ndereki, who kept his composure to beat Aron Ngwenya and hand Simba Bhora the advantage.
Sensing the need for change, coach Benjani Mwaruwari reshuffled his side in the 59th minute, introducing Kudakwashe Mahachi, Mongameli Tshuma and Reason Sibanda in place of Luckmore Mutumbi, Never Rauzhi and Benjamin Adeogun.
The triple substitution had an immediate impact.
Highlanders suddenly found greater purpose and urgency, forcing Simba Bhora deeper into their own half as the hosts intensified the search for an equaliser.
The breakthrough eventually arrived when Nyamono collected a clever lay-off from Rauzhi before curling a magnificent strike from outside the penalty area beyond the reach of Thole.
With momentum firmly on their side, Bosso pushed for a winner.
Andrew Mbeba twice came close from set-pieces, forcing another excellent save from Thole before narrowly missing the target with a second free-kick as Highlanders continued to pile on the pressure.
But despite their dominance and improved performance after the break, the decisive goal never arrived.
Instead, Highlanders were left with yet another draw and another reminder of the fine margins that have characterised much of their season.
Coach Benjani admitted afterwards that his side had let two valuable points slip away.
“We dropped two points. Simba Bhora had a good plan and they outclassed us in the first half. Today we didn’t play normally and for the past three or four games we have been conceding. Sometimes when you concede, the chances of winning become less so we need to work on that with our defence. We improved towards the end of the first half and in the second half we scored a good goal. From there we started showing some glimpses, although we still didn’t show enough.”
Simba Bhora coach Mandla Mpofu was satisfied with his team’s effort and the point earned away from home.
“It was a good game playing a team that has found their rhythm. Despite coming away with a point, I think we did well. I think the fans enjoyed the game.”
