Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Chicken Inn 1–1 Highlanders
HIGHLANDERS survived the drop on the final day, yet the relief barely settled before coach Pieter De Jongh tore into his squad with a sharp assessment that cut through the celebrations. The Dutchman, hired to steady a sinking side, said he had completed his rescue job but made it clear that many of the players he inherited are nowhere near the standard required at Barbourfields.
Both teams walked onto the pitch knowing a draw would keep them safe, and the match followed that script. Chicken Inn struck first when Brian Muza guided in a Michael Charamba cross after 26 minutes. Highlanders responded seven minutes into the second half through Andrew Mbeba, who bent a fine free kick into the top corner from the edge of the area.
After the final whistle, De Jongh delivered a blunt verdict on the squad he has been working with.
“I think it was a fair result, we started very weak,” he said.
“There was no skill and there was no fighting spirit. Chicken Inn have better players than us. The team has no quality. Some of the players are not Highlanders quality. I wrote it the first time I came that there is no quality. Some of the players lack the Highlanders spirit. I came here with the mission to save the team and I have done it.
Remember this is not my team but that of Kelvin Kaindu. To play for Highlanders you need the fight and spirit which is not there in this present squad. The first week I arrived, I told the executive about the quality of the team,” said De Jongh.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas was simply relieved the season ended with both teams still in the league.
“It was a highly charged game, highly charged atmosphere. I am happy that we survived and I am happy that both teams will still be in the Premiership and we will be able to play again next year and compete. It was a game that both teams wanted to win, we wanted to win and Highlanders wanted the same thing. It was an entertaining game for the fans, last game of the season, so we just have to close up the season knowing that both teams are in the Premiership and both teams need to do some work for the coming season,” said Antipas.
The result confirmed safety for the two former champions, who finish level on 39 points. Behind them, Kwekwe United had already gone down before kick off, joined by Greenfuel, Bikita Minerals and Yadah Stars after a fraught final weekend.
The match itself swung with urgency, especially in the first half. Highlanders created the early chances. Ten minutes in, Brian Mlotshwa headed wide from a Mbeba free kick. Charamba hit back with a long-range effort that lifted over the bar. Bosso kept pushing. Learnmore Muyambo’s rising strike skimmed the roof of the net in the 14th minute, and moments later George Majika and Joseph Tulani both failed to hit the target with back to back headers. Benjamin
Adeogun then forced Donovan Bernard into a sharp save with a dipping shot.
A few cracks appeared soon after. Atusaye Nyondo nearly punished Bernard when the keeper spilled a clearance, before Tendai Muvuti shot over. Mason Mushore then found space in the box but hesitated and lost the moment.
Tension grew as the half wore on. Mlotshwa was booked for violent conduct on the half hour mark, and De Jongh earned a caution of his own five minutes later for kicking the ball back onto the field in protest. On the stroke of the break, Lynoth Chikuhwa failed to meet a sweeping cross from Xolani Ndlovu.
Chicken Inn emerged from the interval with renewed purpose. A flowing move opened space for Ndlovu on the left, his cross turned over by Muza at the first attempt. Highlanders answered immediately. From a free kick earned a few minutes later, Mbeba curled home with precision.
The Gamecocks threatened again in the 68th minute when Charamba whipped in another fine cross, Muza heading just over. At the other end, Bernard almost handed Bosso a late winner by spilling a Brighton Ncube attempt on 77 minutes. Malvern Hativagone came close to deciding it with a dipping shot soon after.
Chicken Inn
Donovan Bernard (gk), Brian Muza (Leeroy Saungweme 90), Xolani Ndlovu, Brendon Rendo, Malon Mushonga, Lincoln Mangaira, Itai Mabhunu, George Majika (Itai Makopa 69), Lynoth Chikuhwa (Tadiwa Muchenje 69), Michael Charamba, Joseph Tulani.
Highlanders
Ariel Sibanda (gk), Arthur Ndlovu, Brian Mlotshwa, Melikhaya Ncube, Tendai Muvuti (Reason Sibanda 55), Andrew Mbeba (Malvern Hativagone 81), Mason Mushore (Brighton Ncube 72), Luckmore Mutumbi, Benjamin Adeogun, Learnmore Muyambo, Atusaye Nyondo.
