IT’S DONE AND ALMOST DUSTED

Ricky Zililo in BULAWAYO

Highlanders……..…..(0) 2

FC Platinum…………(1) 3

WALTER Musona’s strike at the death of an entertaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match silenced the Bosso faithful as FC Platinum moved to within six points of the league title.

Yesterday’s defeat means Highlanders have gone for nine years without winning a league match against the platinum miners at Barbourfields.

The last time Bosso beat FC Platinum in a league match in Bulawayo was in October 2013 when they won 2-1.

Musona’s injury time goal pierced Bosso fans’ hearts, leaving Barbourfields resembling a cemetery.

Bosso fans were convinced they had bagged a point following a 90th minute headed goal by Washington Navaya.

But Musona’s free-kick, deep into added time, flew past the Highlanders’ defensive wall and diving goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.

It was a deserved victory for the champions, who could have wrapped up the tie in the first half during which they dominated their hosts, forcing them to make errors.

Musona opened the scoring with a well-taken 25th minute penalty, after Bosso defender Mbongeni Ndlovu brought down man-of-the-match Brian Banda, in the box.

Panashe Mutimbanyoka doubled FC Platinum’s lead in the 47th minute, ghosting in from the blind side to head in a cross from Musona.

With a 2-0 lead, it looked as if FC Platinum were done and dusted, but Highlanders fought back in the second half.

The introduction of their leading scorer Lynoth Chikuhwa at the start of the second half lifted the hosts as they forced FC Platinum on the back foot.

Highlanders pulled one back through Stanly Ngala in the 64th minute when he rose high to head in a free-kick from Andrew Mbeba after Rahman Kutsanzira had been fouled.

Navaya then equalised for Bosso in the 90th minute after FC Platinum’s defence failed to deal with Godfrey Makaruse’s delivery.

But like champions, FC Platinum showed great character when they maintained their composure during the numerous stoppages caused by a section of Highlanders’ fans who threw missiles onto the pitch.

FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza said:

“We’re not yet ready for the title. We still have to keep working. It’s work in progress and what we’re thinking about is maintaining our rhythm.

“I think we could have wrapped up the game in the first half.

“Second half they were coming at us. We were a bit slow to defend our crosses.

“Overall, I’m happy, it was an entertaining game, one of the best matches this season. Even if we had played to a draw, I would have been happy with it,” said Mapeza.

Highlanders’ coach Baltemar Brito said:

“We didn’t play a small team, but a team that will soon be champions. We played an entertaining game. “It’s hard to accept this result because we feel a draw would have been fair.

“We will do more assessment of our play, and we want to respect referees, but after so many stops with people throwing bottles, three minutes isn’t fair.”