Online Reporter
Bruce Chikuni
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MWOS FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
IT was a dream start to the Castle Lager Premiership for newcomers MWOS, who could not have asked for a better beginning after edging Highlanders in their league opener at their temporary home, the Baobab stadium in Mhondoro-Ngezi.
One can only imagine the atmosphere in Norton had this match been played at Ngoni, the team’s fortress, which is still under construction.
Nonetheless, the celebrations began at Baobab where MWOS fans gathered in numbers to witness the club’s finest hour.
Mashonaland Central Province witnessed the birth of their latest Premiership club, which promised more on its first step.
MWOS started strongly, nearly scoring the opener, but Innocent Zambezi’s effort sailed over the bar in the 11th minute.
They came close again through Tafadza George, who failed to direct his header three minutes later.
Highlanders forward Brighton Ncube missed a golden opportunity in the 20th minute, taking too long to hit the target despite dribbling past goalkeeper Martin Mapisa.
That moment sparked a sense of urgency in Bosso, who briefly asserted their dominance.
However, the hosts soon regained control, and forward Salif Cheya failed to fire the Panthers ahead, with only the goalkeeper to beat, in the 30th minute.
Cheya broke the deadlock with a 61st-minute strike, capitalising on goalkeeper Rafael Pitisi’s dreadful error, following his failed attempt to show off his dribbling skills.
Prince Ndlovu recorded Bosso’s first shot on target in the 63rd minute, but Mapisa was untroubled.
George thought he had found the second goal from range, but his effort went inches wide five minutes later.
Malvin Mudzvuka was denied by the crossbar in the 79th minute after a neat build-up by the hosts.
The body language of Bosso players gave their travelling fans no reason to support the team in their hour of need, as they lacked ambition in their approach.
MWOS’ Nigel Matina ran the show with exciting dribbles, keeping fans on the edge of their seats for most of the game.
Bosso coach, Kelvin Kaindiu attributed the loss to poor pre-season.
“It was not a good start for us, we did not have a good pre-season I think you all saw even the way we played.
“We are going to try to use these early game to condition ourselves and I think we conceded a soft goal,” said Kaindu.
His counterpart Lloyd Mutasa felt his troops could have even won with a better margin.
“It is still work in progress, and I have to give credit to the players for a spirited fight, it is not easy to beat Highlanders any day.
“With a little bit of lucky, we could have scored more than two goals, but we are just grateful with what we managed, it is something which we can work on,” said Mutasa.
