Masvingo hold Bosso

MASVINGO United held wasteful Highlanders to a goalless draw in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Barbourfields yesterday.
The visitors went into yesterday’s encounter without training as their players were on industrial action for the whole week and only assembled for the game.
Masvingo United coach Luke ‘Vahombe’ Masomere praised his troops for grabbing a point at Emagumeni and said it will go a long way in helping them survive the chop.
“I am very pleased with the result considering that we did not train the whole week as the players were on strike.
They played brilliantly and like I said we are fighting relegation and we will continue doing so until the end of the season,” said Masomere.
The visitors enjoyed lots of possession in the opening 20 minutes but failed to capitalise on their dominance.
Former Highlanders midfielder Welcome ‘Waruwa’ Ndiweni, Hardlife Mavundi and Saprine Muchabaya won most of the midfield battles but could not supply their strikers with clean passes that could have threatened the home team’s defence.
Bosso could have taken the lead in the eighth minute when Njabulo Ncube was brought down on the left and Rahman Kutsanzira quickly took the freekick setting up Graham Ncube who skied his effort over the goal with only goalkeeper Francis Tizayi to beat.
Three minutes later Graham’s cross from the corner found no takers in the box and it was another chance that went begging for the home team.
Masvingo’s first attempt at goal came in the 21st minute from striker Johnson Zimbabe whose effort hit the horizontal bar with goalkeeper Arial Sibanda a beaten man.
After that, the match continued to be a see-saw affair.The second half saw Highlanders coming with some bit of urgency which fizzled out as the game wore on.
Deep in the second half Eric Mudzingwa wasted two goalscoring opportunities, the first when Kutsanzira set him up.
The second chance was when Lawson Nkomo sent a cross from the right and Mudzingwa unmarked in the box headed the ball over the bar.
Masvingo wanted to get Bosso on counter attacks but they could not break the Innocent Mapuranga-marshaled Highlanders defence.
Mark Mathe, Highlanders assistant coach, said they were disappointed after failing to get maximum points and it was back to the drawing board for them.
“We are very disappointed with the result as we lacked poor decision making up-front. The competition in the league is going to be tough but at least a point is better than nothing.
“What we have to do now is go back to the drawing board and work on our shortcomings,” Mathe said.
Teams
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, G. Banda, L. Nkomo, I. Mapuranga, G. Lunga, B. Ndlovu, R. Kutsanzira, E. Mudzingwa, L. Matawu (M. Mburayi 35th minute), G. Ncube (V. Nzombe 59th minute), N. Ncube
Masvingo United: F. Tizayi, S. Sinamayi, J. Zimbabe, H. Muvundi (T. Jaricha 86th minute), D. Zimbago (B. Chirere 63rd minute), S. Muchabaya, I. Chapura, W. Ndiweni (P. Chagara 63rd minute) P. Sinamayi, B. Mazorodze, P. Chandisaita.