Manica Diamonds, Herentals results keep Highlanders in top 4

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
RESULTS for Manica Diamonds as well Herentals have kept Highlanders in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League top four.
Bosso stormed into the top four for the first time this season after a 3-2 triumph over Yadah at the National Sports Stadium on Friday, their first away victory since July 2018 when they defeated Triangle United 1-0 at Gibbo Stadium.

Ray Lunga, Washington Navaya and Lynoth Chikuhwa were on target for Bosso in that jinx breaking win, which took Amahlolanyama to 41 points. They leapfrogged Manica Diamonds and Herentals. For Highlanders to remain in the top four, results for Manica Diamonds and Herentals had to go their way yesterday and they did.

Manica Diamonds were beaten 2-0 by log leaders FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium while at the National Sports Stadium, Herentals played out a 1-1 draw with Caps United.

Herentals are a point behind Highlanders while Manica Diamonds now trail Bosso by two points.

Second position is within reach for Highlanders as their bitter rivals Dynamos occupy that spot with 46 points while third placed Chicken Inn can also be overtaken by their neighbours. The Gamecocks yesterday suffered their second defeat in a row, beaten 2-1 by Ngezi Platinum Stars at home after suffering a similar loss to Black Rhinos away and remain on 45 points.

Before Highlanders won against Yadah, Manica Diamonds occupied fourth spot while Herentals were fifth and Bosso sixth.
On Friday, Highlanders were cruising at 3-0 up with less than an hour gone, which prompted coach Baltermar Brito to give an opportunity to young goalkeeper Raphel Pitisi.

The substitute goalkeeper, however, conceded two goals in quick succession with Innocent Musiwa and Fortune Binzi on target for the Miracle Boys but Highlanders held on for victory.

In the nine matches Brito has presided over as Highlanders coach, he has won five, drawn three and lost one. Highlanders have found the target 15 times while their defence has been breached nine times, with the goal difference under Brito being plus six, an indication that there has been some positive change since the Portuguese took over. – @Mdawini_29