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Nkosilathi Sibanda in BULAWAYO
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Black Rhinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
IN Portuguese, they say it’s momento brillianto!
The Highlanders juggernaut continued to trample everything in its wake as the Bulawayo giants made it 19 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League games without loss yesterday.
Not even basement side Black Rhinos who arrived at Barbourfields with ambitions of becoming the first to hand Bosso a defeat this season could condure some magic.Given that Highlanders have given away very little in defence, they settled their nerves when Andrew Mbeba grabbed what proved the winner after 30 minutes.
Highlanders could have won by a bigger margin had it not been for the fine show between the sticks of Rhinos goalkeeper Lennon Gonese.
Despite thwarting Highlanders’ attacks, Gonese’s brilliance also won the admiration of Bosso coach Baltemar Brito.
Brito has refused to swayed by championship title yet, arguing that there is still more to play for.
The Portuguese was also happy with Highlanders’ defensive qualities which also shone brightly again yesterday.
“Another clean sheet. This was team work. This was good for us, because if we don’t concede goals, we collect points.
“It’s good for us. This is one game done, but like in a marathon, there are still more kilometres to do,” Brito said.
“We had our chances that were created and also the penalty that was a big chance for us.
“For me, their goalkeeper was the best player of the game.”
Brito added that he is aware that their success will also come with more pressure on his charges to preserve their position at the top.
He acknowledged that Rhinos had given them a good run for the points.
“We are on the right track. We go into these games for competition, to try and collect the three points. So this is our proposal, our mindset until the end of the season because we know every game now, will be tough for us.
“Everyone now wants to beat us. You could see how they wanted to be the first to beat us. Another ‘animal’ we have before us is being the champions and for that we need to have another character,” he said.
Rhinos coach Saul Chaminuka was disappointed with a loss that leaves the soldiers still at the base of the log standings.
Chaminuka felt Rhinos could have come out with at a least a point had they not made some errors of their own including one that led to Mbeba’s goal.
“That was unfortunate. We made mistakes and were punished.,” Chaminuka said.
“We were not convincing. We were not aggressive in finishing our attacks.
“I want to believe that we lacked the last pass. Nevertheless, we played well.
“The discipline in the team has improved and I am happy on that. Now, we shift focus to the next game against Bulawayo Chiefs. We are going to throw our all on the game.”
With second-placed Ngezi also winning against CAPS United on Saturday it remained a five-point gap between the Bosso and the platinum miners.
When all is said and done, Bosso have a five-point lead over second placed Ngezi Platinum on the log.
Teams:
Highlanders: FC Ariel Sibanda, Lynoth Chikuhwa (Washington Navaya 73rd minute), McKinnon Mushore, Brighton Manhire (Darlington Mukuli 46th minute), Andrew Mbeba, Elshamar Farasi (Devine Mhindirira 62nd minute) Peter Mudhuwa, Archford Faira, Mbongeni Ndlovu, Melikhaya Ncube, Stanley Ngala (Calvin Chigonero 73rd minute)
Black Rhinos: Lennon Gonese, Chelsea Nyakope, Tatenda Mchisa, Daren Mutimuzunze, Valentine Katsande, Sylon Chikwerengwe (Nkosi Mhlanga 58th minute), Allen Gahadzikwa (Pride Mukombwe 58th minute), Evans Katema, Lot Chiwunga, Garikai Dematsika
Online Reporter