Veronica Gwaze, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FC Hunters 1-1 Highlanders
FOR a man who has gone five games without tasting victory, Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari was too sober on the touchline when sharing spoils with Hunters in a 1-1 draw at Rufaro yesterday.
Goals from either half by Isaac Ngoma and Hunters second-half substitute Benjamin Goliath provided the highlights for the lukewarm match.
But for Bosso, who last tasted victory in a 2-0 win over Herentals 2-0 on August 23 at
Barbourfields, many would have expected Mwaruwari to be as animated and visibly hungry for victory as he often is.
Precisely, he has recorded one win in nine games, and being safe in the league marathon, perhaps he feels the need to cool down and let his men just enjoy the remaining games.
“I think we have been through a lot this season and I pay tribute to the boys for holding on when things were tough…as a coach it was tough to motivate them in some stages but I would just turn the situation into comedy, whenever we managed to train or play a match, I would joke with them and try to make the situation light.”
Yesterday, Highlanders opened the scoring in the 10th minute through Ngoma, leaving FC Hunters to chase the game.
The goal surely breathed belief in the visitors, and they would dominate proceedings early, with Mongameli Tshuma and Andrew Mbeba dictating play in midfield.
In the 23rd minute, Highlanders could have doubled their lead when Tshuma stylishly beat three defenders in the mid before slipping a through-ball to Ngoma in space, but the striker failed to beat goalkeeper Brandon Munkuli in a one-on-one situation.
Seven minutes later, Tshuma found himself in trouble after attempting to win a penalty, going down theatrically inside the box under minimal contact while trying to implicate Elder Chirima.
Referee Brighton Chimene was alert to the simulation and promptly booked him for diving.
The yellow card galvanised Hunters, who began to find their rhythm.
More composed going forward, Tadiwanashe Huni almost masterminded the equaliser in the 36th minute with a pinpoint cross from the right flank for King Nadolo, whose header shaved the crossbar.
Four minutes later, Highlanders goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya had to be at his best to keep his side ahead, pulling off a fine save to deny Huni’s long-range effort.
At half-time, it remained 1-0 to the visitors.
Returning in the second stanza, for 27 minutes, Hunters struggled to create clear chances while
Highlanders, comfortable with their lead, slowed the tempo and managed the game.
In the 72nd minute, Bosso threatened again when Mbeba unleashed two quick efforts from close range, but Munkuli was equal to the task with spectacular saves.
Three minutes later, Tshuma showed his class, sprinting down the right channel before cutting inside at the byline with a stylish turn, but his inviting cross into the six-yard area was wasted by Marvin Sibanda.
Bosso looked to have secured maximum points before Hunters snatched a late equaliser at the death, with Benjamin Goliath firing home from inside the box to beat Ngwenya and ensure a share of the spoils.
“We did well dominating the first half, but come the second half we were disjointed and there are moments I feel we could have gotten one or two more goals,” Mwaruwari added.
“For us to be in the top half of the log at this stage, I am impressed, so now to games to go but the bigger picture is to focus more on the Chibuku semi-final.”
FC Hunters head coach Nesbert Saruchera applauded his side for forcing a draw.
“It was a tough game and I am impressed that the boys fought up to the end, our aim was to maintain an unbeaten run and we did it,” he said.
