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Lovemore Dube Sports Editor
HIGHLANDERS are 270 minutes from their third league and cup double after a last gasp goal by Ozias Zibande sent them soaring to the top of the Premier League table. Their opponents at Barbourfields, Triangle, had done their best to frustrate them but ended up paying the penalty with two late red cards which tilted the match in Highlanders’ favour.
Bosso won their first double in 1990 and followed that 11 years later. They took a giant step to adding a new page to that chapter with a battling victory against a typically belligerent Triangle, who also had their coach Gishon Ntini sent to the stands for dissent.
Having missed out on the league title last season on goal difference, Kelvin Kaindu’s men took charge of their destiny with a committed performance which was however low on flourish.
The Bulawayo club made capital out of reigning champions Dynamos’ 1-1 draw with Shabanie Mine at Rufaro, and Harare City’s goalless stalemate with relegated Motor Action at Gwanzura. The result put them in a very strong position to clinch domestic football’s biggest prizes — the league trophy and the Mbada Diamonds Cup for which they have already qualified for the final, where neighbours How Mine await.
The high drama towards the end of the match — which ended with referee Bekezela Makeka adding 16 minutes to the regulation 90 — made for gripping, if not anxious, viewing for the 6 000 or so fans who paid their way to watch this midweek game.
Triangle skipper Limited Chikafa saw red after picking up a second yellow for time-wasting, just as he was being substituted.
Because he was still on the pitch, the substitution was nullified and the men from the sugar estates were down to 10.
Chikafa, who had earlier snubbed his coach’s attempt to substitute him, caused a six-minute stoppage as he remonstrated with Makeka. Triangle were losing their heads.
Ntini then added to the drama by calling his players to the bench, as if to protest.
When play finally resumed, Triangle shot stopper Brighton Chipula fell to the ground under no challenge, and two quick-fire yellow cards ended his day.
The referee again tried to restart play, but soon he was at Ntini’s dug-out, reading the Triangle coach his marching orders for giving the fourth official, Tambudzai Tawengwa, an earful.
By now, Dynamos and Harare City had long concluded their matches, and their fans must have feared the worst just as the Highlanders fans finally found their voices, lifted by Triangle’s self destruction.
Highlanders players could feel the energy from the stands, but their panicky touches and hopeful crosses were not threatening the Triangle rearguard marshalled by veteran David Sengu.
Enter Zibande, a second half substitute for the disappointing Master Masitara. With a minute to play, the diminutive striker threw himself – body and soul – at a Milton Ncube cross from the left and his header squeezed between Ashley Reyners and his left post.
Cue the Highlanders celebrations.
Online Reporter