Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium, Highlanders 0-0 ZPC Kariba
Highlanders’ season is starting to stall in plain sight. Seven matches in, seven draws, and this one will hurt more than most after another dominant display ended without a goal at Barbourfields yesterday.
Bosso did everything right but finish. They controlled the game from the first whistle, pinned ZPC Kariba back for long spells and created enough chances to win comfortably. Instead, they ran into a stubborn defence and an inspired goalkeeper in Future Sibanda, who kept the visitors standing, especially after the break.
The hosts looked sharp early. Inside two minutes, Rainsome Pavari found space in a promising position but a heavy first touch let him down at the decisive moment. Soon after, Nomore Chinyerere tried his luck from distance, dragging his effort wide.
Highlanders kept coming. In the 12th minute, Mongameli Tshuma slipped in Benjamin Adeogun, but the Nigerian forward blazed over with the goal at his mercy. Adeogun went closer again midway through the half, forcing Sibanda into his first serious save as the pressure began to build.
ZPC Kariba struggled to get out. Bosso camped in their half, winning a series of set-pieces around the half-hour mark but failing to make any count. Four minutes before the break, a free-kick in a dangerous position drifted just wide, summing up a half where control never translated into reward.
Even in stoppage time, the breakthrough would not come. Kudakwashe Mahachi whipped in a teasing cross, but there was no one to apply the finishing touch.
The pattern did not change after the restart. Highlanders pushed higher, moved the ball quicker and kept asking questions. Isaac Ngoma’s header in the 51st minute drifted inches wide, while Never Rauzhi and Mbeba both went close as the pressure mounted.
Still, the goal refused to come.
Sibanda stood tall, producing a string of saves to frustrate the home side. Shelton Moyo also tested him, but it was one of those afternoons where every effort seemed to find the goalkeeper or miss by fine margins.
For all their control, Highlanders were left with the same problem that has defined their campaign so far, dominance without a cutting edge.
Head coach Benjani Mwaruwari could feel the weight of it in the dressing room.
“I can feel the togetherness when I left them in the dressing room, they want to cry because they need that win. I think we will get that win soon.
“Sometimes, when you are desperate, it becomes difficult. We have to go back and train hard on the last third,” he said.
ZPC Kariba coach Newman Mashipe was satisfied with a point built on discipline and patience.
“I am happy with the way the boys performed, especially defensively. Highlanders are playing some beautiful football, and I understand where they are going. Our game plan was to hold them up to thirty minutes, and we did that,” said Mashipe.
For Highlanders, the football is there. The control is there. The chances are there.
The win is not. And it’s starting to define them.
