Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira At Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 1-1 MWOS (Highlanders win 3-2 on penalties)
ARON Ngwenya once again turned hero as Highlanders edged MWOS 3-2 on penalties to book their place in the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals after the sides had played out a 1-1 draw at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
The Highlanders goalkeeper produced another outstanding shootout display, saving crucial penalties as Bosso kept their hopes of ending the season with silverware alive.
It was an entertaining contest from the opening whistle, with both teams showing attacking intent and neither appearing prepared to sit back.
That approach was hardly surprising given the stakes of a knockout competition, where one mistake could bring a team’s campaign to an end.
Highlanders created the better opportunities during the opening stages, although MWOS also showed they could hurt Bosso on the break.
Inside the first 10 minutes, Wilson Mensah drew a good save from Ngwenya, but the action quickly switched to the other end when Mongameli Tshuma fed Marvin Sibanda from close range.
Sibanda, however, could not find a way past the MWOS defence.
Highlanders continued to look dangerous and, in the 10th minute, produced a good move involving Shelton Moyo, Tshuma and Luckmore Mutumbi.
Mutumbi eventually got his shot away, only for the MWOS defence to clear the effort off the line.
Rainsome Pavari then came close in the 21st minute when his effort from distance went narrowly wide.
Five minutes later, MWOS dealt with another Highlanders threat when they cleared a dangerous Mbeba free-kick for a corner, although Bosso could not make the resulting set-piece count.
Despite Highlanders creating the better chances, it was MWOS who struck first.
Arthur Banda put MWOS ahead to give the visitors a 1-0 lead and leave Highlanders with the task of fighting their way back into the contest.
Bosso immediately searched for a response and Andrew Mbeba delivered a good cross into the box, but Ryon Nyamono could not keep his effort down.
Highlanders went into the break trailing, but they returned with renewed purpose after the interval.
Their pressure finally paid off in the 61st minute when Nyamono rose to head home the equaliser and restore parity.
With the score level, Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari looked to his bench for the spark that could produce a winner, introducing Kudakwashe Mahachi for Moyo.
Mahachi almost made an immediate impact in the 70th minute when his volley sent the Barbourfields crowd to their feet, with many thinking the ball had found the net.
It only found the side netting.
Highlanders were then forced into another change when Mbeba, who had shown signs of a possible injury, was substituted for veteran defender Lawrence Mhlanga.
Bosso continued to search for the winner as the clock ran down.
Tshuma came close seven minutes before full-time when his effort was tipped over the bar.
On the stroke of full-time, Pavari headed wide from a well-taken Nomore Chinyerere cross as Highlanders missed another opportunity to settle the tie in regulation time.
With neither side able to find a second goal, the quarter-final went to penalties.
That was where Ngwenya once again proved decisive.
MWOS had attempts saved by the Highlanders goalkeeper, while another effort struck the upright, as Bosso held their nerve to win the shootout 3-2.
The victory sends Highlanders into the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals and keeps alive what has become their last major opportunity to land silverware this season.
For Mwaruwari, the result was also a measure of redemption after Highlanders had previously lost a penalty shootout in Hwange.
“It was a difficult game. We had much control of the game and they were catching us on break and they did everything well. They were overpowering us in midfield. You know penalties, it’s a matter of luck on any given day. In Hwange we lost on penalties but today luck was on our side,” said Mwaruwari.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa acknowledged the difficulty of facing Highlanders at Barbourfields and said the outcome of the cup tie ultimately came down to what happened on the day.
“We knew coming to play Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium it was not going to be difficult. But being a cup competition, it’s about better on the field but luck on the day,” said Mutasa.
For Highlanders, however, there was more than luck involved.
Ngwenya once again stood tall when his team needed him most, ensuring Bosso survived a tense quarter-final and advanced to the last four.
