Online Reporter
Highlanders 2-0 Herentals Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
SUBSTITUTE Marvin Sibanda struck twice in the second half as Highlanders beat Herentals 2-0 at Barbourfields yesterday, giving coach Benjani Mwaruwari a winning return from illness.
Mwaruwari was back in the Highlanders dugout after missing the club’s previous match.
“I was ill for the past 10 days. I was in hospital for three days, but I am recovering well. It’s good to come back with a victory,” said Mwaruwari.
“We needed the victory, as you know we are coming from a difficult time.”
Herentals coach Paul Benza believed his side should have taken control before the break, but paid for failing to convert their chances.
“It was a game of two halves. I thought we should have buried the game in the first half. If you miss chances, you get punished, and that is what happened today. They had the better chances in the second half,” said Benza.
Highlanders loanee Archford Faira troubled his parent club down the left with his pace and direct running.
Bosso created their best opening of the first half in the 15th minute when Mongameli Tshuma released Shelton Moyo, but Herentals goalkeeper Tariq Ngwenya made a good save.
Faira picked out Milton Chimedza at the other end on the half-hour mark, but the Herentals forward failed to make the most of the opportunity.
Andrew Mbeba went close for Highlanders five minutes before the break when his curling free-kick cleared the wall but sailed over.
Highlanders pushed Herentals back after the interval, with Mwaruwari sending on Sibanda for Never Rauzhi.
Sibanda put Bosso ahead in the 62nd minute, rising highest to head Mbeba’s cross past Ngwenya.
Tshuma should have doubled the lead four minutes later, but complicated what appeared to be a simple tap-in and missed the target.
Sibanda struck again from close range minutes before the end to complete his brace and settle the contest.
