Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Highlanders 1 Herentals 0
A Mason Mushore free kick in the dying stages was enough to carry Highlanders past Herentals College and into the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals after a tense rescheduled first round clash at Nyamhunga Stadium yesterday.
Mushore, who has been one of Bosso’s most consistent performers this season, curled his 83rd-minute strike over the wall and beyond the reach of the towering Tinotenda Takarinda, punishing the Students’ defence that had been caught flat footed.
The free kick came after Tawanda Chisi chopped down Reason Sibanda, who had ghosted past him and was bearing down on goal. Chisi took one for his team, but Mushore made them pay with a piece of brilliance that sent the Bosso fans into raptures.
Highlanders had dominated possession and tempo for much of the match but lacked sharpness in the final third. Once ahead, they survived Herentals’ desperate late push, defending resolutely to preserve their narrow advantage.
Coach Hendrik Pieter de Jongh praised his team’s performance.
“It’s a good feeling. We had a good game plan. We were the better team, we showed intention to play good football. There was good team spirit from us,” he said.
He added: “I don’t do it for myself, I do it for the Bosso family, let’s see what we are going to do in the league.”
De Jongh knows the competition well. In 2019, he guided Highlanders to Chibuku glory with a 1-0 win over Ngezi Platinum Stars, courtesy of Prince Dube’s strike.
Herentals coach Paul Benza admitted they failed to deal with Mushore’s set piece.
“I’m happy that in our last two games we have not been conceding much. But we could have done better on that free kick and taken the game to penalties. Bowing out of the Chibuku Super Cup is not commendable, but we now have to concentrate on the league where we are targeting a top-four finish,” said Benza, who was forced into two injury substitutions during the game.
The Students lost Tinotenda Benza in the first-half, replaced by John Zhuwawu, while Erick Dombo limped off for Blessing Majarira after 72 minutes.
Man of the Match Mushore, who was outstanding throughout, said the win was reward for hard work.
“It was a tough game but we managed to push on. We have been working hard at training and we have been rewarded. It’s all about hard work. We worked on how to take set pieces and how to defend them. This is a very big win for us. Now we are left with two games for us to get into the final,” he said.
Highlanders will feel some redemption after last year’s controversial exit, when they were thrown out following their abandoned quarter-final against Simba Bhora. Bosso walked off in protest over a late penalty, and the PSL disciplinary committee awarded Simba a 3-0 win and fined Highlanders US$6 000.
Meanwhile, this year’s Chibuku quarter-final draw, conducted immediately after the Nyamhunga clash, has set up some mouthwatering fixtures. Highlanders will face Scottland, defending champions Dynamos take on ZPC Kariba, Manica Diamonds meet Triangle, and Bikita Minerals square off with MWOS. Venues are yet to be announced.
Chibuku Super Cup Quarter-Finals
Bikita Minerals vs MWOS
Manica Diamonds vs Triangle
Dynamos vs ZPC Kariba
Highlanders vs Scottland
