Late penalty earns Highlanders a point against Bulawayo Chiefs

A late second half penalty by Nigerian forward Benjamin Adegoun earned Highlanders a point against Bulawayo Chiefs in Castle Lager Premiership tie at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Mongameli Tshuma was brought down late into the match and upstepped Adegoun to make it 1-1.

Zibusiso Dambo had punished some lethargic play in defence by Highlanders in the first half with a 28th minute stinger from outside the box at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

It is the opening Castle Lager fixture in Bulawayo before a crown of about 10 000.

The opening minutes were typical derby style.

Clive Rupiya could have put Bulawayo Chiefs ahead in the 10th minute but sent his header wide from a Brian Muza cross on the right.

Highlanders had a chance to test the visitors goal when Marvin Sibanda was set up in the 17th minute by Darlington Munkuli with a header from a Mongameli Tshuma cross on the left.

Bulawayo Chiefs took the lead in the 28th minute when Dambo gained possession after Prince Ndlovu clumsily lost a challenge. The Chiefs forward took a few steps and chose his spot to beat Bosso goalkeeper Reward Muza with a low shot to the right.

In the 20th minute big Benjamin Adegoun had his shot punched away after a pass from Sibanda.

A minute later Washington Mapuya shot over bar after finding space within the Bosso rearguard.

Clive Rupiya had a chance in the 33rd minute to increase the lead but forced a double save off Muza after another shoddy piece of play by Archieford Faira.

Benjamin Adegoun counted himself unlucky when his shot was punched for a corner by Matripples Muleya in goal for Chiefs in the 44th minute.

Chiefs were calculating in their offensive with the home team hurrying it’s attack.

Rainsome Pavari stretched Muleya with a freekick that the goalkeeper parried away in the first attack of the second half in the 47th minute.