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Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
Bulawayo Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
HIGHLANDERS’ new coach, Benjani Mwaruwari was halted by a determined Bulawayo Chiefs from making a winning debut league match as they were held to a draw at Barbourfields yesterday.
It was Mwaruwari’s first game in charge of Bosso after sitting on the dugout last month in a Jairos Jiri Charity Shield tie.
It did not look like the same Bosso that fought so well and had some constructive football moves, resolute defending and promising enterprise in midfield.
Yesterday, a late second half goal by Nigerian forward Benjamin Adeguon earned Highlanders a point. That was after Zibusiso Dambo’s 28th-minute opener, a brilliant shot taken with power and precision from outside the box to silence a hugely Bosso crowd of about 10 000 fans.
Mwaruwari admitted it was a tough game for them.
“This game was very difficult for us. Bulawayo Chiefs were on top of us most of the time. They did so well in that counter-attack. They have speedy wingers and aggressive strikers,” said Mwaruwari.
“At the end we were trailing, and you know when you are trailing you throw everything that you have got, and I applaud my boys for fighting to the end. We had moments where we dominated the game. But this is the first game of the season. Normally it happens, you need to test where you are.
“Now we know where we are. We need to work hard and get better every day.”
Chiefs’ coach John Nyikadzino was a happy man after the game. He showered his boys with praise for sticking to instructions.
“I would say the boys played very well. I am very much impressed with the performance but disappointed with the result. We conceded a penalty at the end of the game.
“I thought we had wrapped this up but unfortunately we conceded the penalty and hence the draw.
“The boys came to the party,” said Nyikadzino.
He felt for a team coming from Division One, in their first match against a team like Bosso, they put on a splendid performance.
For Highlanders it had to take promising midfielder Mongameli “Smola” Tshuma being brought down in the box for a penalty.
Referee Mhaka Magare pointed to the spot and Adeguon took the responsibility to score his first league goal for 2026.
