Online ReporterWelcome to our live coverage from Barbourfields Stadium, where Highlanders and Scottland collide in a Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final that promises no shortage of drama.
This is no ordinary Cup tie. Bosso, desperate to lift spirits after a tough league run, see this as their shot at redemption. For Scottland, the competition is another chance to underline their fairytale debut season in the top flight, where they are chasing honours on two fronts.
The two sides have already traded blows in the league this year, producing tense, close encounters. With Scottland’s star-studded cast — Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, Terrence Dzvukamanja and hotshot Tymon Machope — and Bosso banking on home advantage, the stage is set for an afternoon of fireworks.
The match will be broadcast live from Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on ZTN Prime, DStv Channel 290.
Stay with us as we bring you updates, analysis, and the big talking points straight from BF.
An ice cream man was spotted along George Silundika Street brandishing a Highlanders flag ahead of the Bosso clash against Scottland FC at Barborfields stadium this afternoon. (Picture by Nkosizile Ndlovu)
HIGHLANDERS have named newly signed forward Martin Nhubu in the starting XI for their highly anticipated Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final encounter against Scottland at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
The 25 year attacking midfielder was announced as a new Bosso player on Thursday.
Reason Sibanda sits out as he is yet to recover from injury.
Former Bosso vice-captain Peter Muduhwa, who joined Scottland at the start of the season captains the visitors in the absence of Walter Musona who sits on the bench.
Veteran Knowledge Musona is on the bench as well.
The two teams line up as follows:
Highlanders XI: A. Sibanda, A. Ndlovu, M. Hativagoni, A. Mbeba, M. Mushore, N. Rauzhi, L. Mutumbi, M. Nhubu, L. Muyambo, B. Odeogun.
Scottland XI: T. Shumba, P. Mudhuwa, G. Murwira, R. Pfumbidzai, F. Botchway, M. Msebe, M. Chigumira, M. Chihweta, V. Kawe, M. Shidolo, K. Billiat.
8’
0-1
Scottland strike first with a brilliant long range shot from Kingsley Mureremba.
Mureremba, who wasn’t on the starting XI replaces Botchway just before the start of the match as the latter fell sick.
Scottland lead Bosso at the break
Brandon Moyo
TWO brilliant goals from Kingsley Mureremba and Khama Billiat have given Scottland the advantage over Highlanders going into the break of the crunch Chibuku Super Cup quarter final encounter at Barbourfields Stadium.
Mureremba, who was a last minute addition to the starting XI, replacing Fredrick Ansah Botchway who reportedly fell ill, struck home from long range in the eighth minute to give the visitors the lead.
Billiat doubled the lead in the 33rd minute with yet another stunning shot from the edge of the box to double Scottland’s lead.
Four minutes later, Learnmore Muyambo pulled one back for Bosso with a header, drawing the hosts back into the encounter.
Scottland had the first real chance of the first half when a loose ball fell onto Mthokozisi Msebe outside the box. His attempted volley went wide.
Scottland continued to dominate the proceedings and came close to making it two in the 13th minute when Moses Shidolo’s shot from outside the box was deflected for a corner kick which went to waste.
Moments later, Bosso came really close to leveling matters when new signing Martin Nhubu fed a defense splitting pass onto
Benjami Odeogun. The Nigerian forward could not beat Talbert Shumba in goals for Scottland.
In the 25th minute, Godknows Murwira’s freekick from a promising position was headed away to safety by Arthur Ndlovu.
At the half hour mark, Odeogun was fed a long ball from the Bosso half but Shumba calmly collected before the Bosso forward made contact.
Bosso fight back to knock Scottland out Chibuku Super Cup
Brandon Moyo
Highlanders 2-2 Scottland
(2-1 penalties)
VETERAN goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda was, Highlanders’ penalty shootout hero as he saved three kicks to help Bosso edge Scottland 2-1 in the lottery and progress to the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals.
The game had ended 2-2 in regulation time, forcing a penalty shootout where Sibanda stood tall, punching his side to the last four of the country’s premier cup tournament.
Scottland missed four kicks while converting just one. Highlanders missed two, their first, before going on to convert the next two.
The Bulawayo giants staged a memorable come-back as, at some stage in the first half, were trailing 2-0. They pulled one back before the break and leveled matters in 90th minute to take the tie to penalty shootouts.
Scotland had gone in front in the eighth minute through brilliant Kingsley Mureremba before Khama Billiat doubled the lead. Learnmore Muyambo pulled one back for Highlanders while Mbeba drew the game level in an intense game.
Mureremba, who was a last minute addition to the starting XI, replacing Fredrick Ansah Botchway who reportedly fell ill, struck home from long range in the eighth minute to give the visitors the lead.
Billiat doubled the lead in the 33rd minute with yet another stunning shot from the edge of the box to double Scottland’s lead.
Four minutes later, Muyambo pulled one back for Bosso with a header, drawing the hosts back into the encounter before a brilliant Mbeba goal forced the game into penalties.
Scottland had the first real chance of the first half when a loose ball fell onto Mthokozisi Msebe outside the box. His attempted volley went wide.
Scottland continued to dominate the proceedings and came close to making it two in the 13th minute when Moses Shidolo’s shot from outside the box was deflected for a corner kick which went to waste.
Moments later, Bosso came really close to leveling matters when new signing Martin Nhubu fed a defense splitting pass onto Benjami Odeogun. The Nigerian forward could not beat Talbert Shumba in goals for Scottland.
In the 25th minute, Godknows Murwira’s freekick from a promising position was headed away to safety by Arthur Ndlovu.
At the half hour mark, Odeogun was fed a long ball from the Bosso half but Shumba calmly collected before the Bosso forward made contact.
Bosso had a decent start to the second stanza but could not find the equaliser early on.
In the 52nd minute, Prince Ndlovu had his shot from inside the box deflected for a corner kick which they could not capitalise on.
In the 76th minute, Tymon Machope had his curling effort easily saved by Ariel Sibanda.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Machope got yet another glorious chance for the visitors but skied his effort over the bar.
Moments later, Prince Ndlovu had his shot from inside the box go way over the bar.
Teams:
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, A. Ndlovu, M. Hativagoni, A. Mbeba, M. Mushore (B. Mlotshwa, 83mins), N. Rauzhi (T. Muvuti, 83mins), L. Mutumbi (A. Nyondo, 70mins), M. Nhubu (P. Ndlovu, 46mins), L. Muyambo, B. Odeogun (D. Munkuli, 46mins)
Scottland: T. Shumba, P. Mudhuwa, G. Murwira, R. Pfumbidzai, K. Mureremba, M. Msebe (M. Tapera, 59mins), M. Chigumira, M. Chihweta (T Dzvukamanja, 59mins), V. Kawe (A. Manenji, 79mins), M. Shidolo, K. Billiat (T. Machope, 68mins)
