Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 0-0 Chicken Inn
Highlanders won 3-1 on penalties
ARON Ngwenya emerged as Highlanders’ hero yesterday, saving two penalties to send the strike-hit Bulawayo giants into the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals following a turbulent week at the club.
After a goalless 90 minutes at Barbourfields Stadium, the match was decided by a penalty shoot-out, where Ngwenya denied Tulani Joseph and Michael Charamba, while Donovan Bernard struck the crossbar.
Brendon Rendo was Chicken Inn’s only successful penalty taker.
Highlanders converted all three of their spot-kicks through Rainsome Pavari, Brighton Makopa and Mongameli Tshuma to seal a 3-1 shoot-out victory.
Bosso went into the encounter at Emagumeni following a disrupted build-up. The players had refused to train despite receiving US$250 each towards outstanding salaries, insisting on US$500 per player before returning to work.
Coach Benjani Mwaruwari also missed the match due to illness, leaving assistants Mkhokheli Dube and Bekithemba Ndlovu in charge.
Chicken Inn enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges against a Highlanders side that appeared short of rhythm.
Charamba whipped in a cross from the left in the 12th minute, but Junior Makunike arrived a fraction too late to make contact.
Moments later, Andrew Mbeba delivered another dangerous ball into the area, but none of his teammates attacked it.
Tshuma provided much of Bosso’s creativity with his movement and distribution, although clear-cut opportunities remained at a premium.
Benjamin Adeogun came close to giving Highlanders the lead on the stroke of half-time when he skipped past several defenders before firing narrowly over the crossbar.
Chicken Inn continued to pose a threat after the restart. Ngwenya produced a fine low save to deny George Majika before keeping out another effort from Charamba.
Bosso responded with appeals for a penalty after Itai Mabunu appeared to bring down Reason Sibanda inside the box.
Tshuma later slipped Adeogun through on goal and the forward found the back of the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Chicken Inn finished the match with 10 men after Tyrese Hikupembe was sent off in the 79th minute, but Highlanders were unable to make their numerical advantage count before the contest moved to penalties.
Chicken Inn coach Tonderai Ndiraya felt Ngwenya’s previous association with the Gamecocks may have worked in Highlanders’ favour during the shoot-out.
“It’s a difficult one to take. Penalty shootouts come down to the confidence of the players. We had some experienced players taking penalties, but they missed. The Highlanders goalkeeper was also once part of our system and I guess he knew how some of these guys were going to take their penalties,” said Ndiraya.
Mwaruwari’s son, Benjani Junior, was also introduced during the match.
Dube dedicated the victory to the ailing Bosso coach, who celebrated his birthday during the week.
“I would like to say happy belated birthday to Benjani Mwaruwari. This week was his birthday and we want to dedicate this victory to him. As you saw, he was not here today because he is not feeling well. We went to see him at the hospital in the morning and we wish him a speedy recovery. Hopefully, he will be with us in the dugout on Wednesday,” said Dube.
