Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 0-2 TelOne
HIGHLANDERS interim coach Try Ncube apologised to supporters after his side slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to TelOne yesterday, a result that deepened frustrations among the Bosso faithful.
“Sometimes you feel sorry for the fans,” Ncube said.
“They come in their numbers and they don’t deserve what they are getting now.”
Bosso began with energy but were caught cold in the ninth minute. A lapse in concentration allowed Tawanda Macheke to slip past Ariel Sibanda for the opener. The visitors had already threatened moments earlier through Washington Navaya, and their early dominance paid off.
Highlanders controlled possession but struggled where it mattered most. Prince Ndlovu fired over and Reason Sibanda had an effort scrambled off the line, yet their decision making in the final third repeatedly let them down.
The big moment came with 15 minutes to go when referee Tichaona Mbire pointed to the spot for handball. TelOne protested furiously, but the decision stood. Captain Ariel Sibanda stepped up, only for goalkeeper Criss Mverechena to read his intentions and save.
That miss proved fatal. In added time, former Bosso striker Navaya returned to haunt his old club, calmly beating Sibanda to seal the points and notch his 12th goal of the season.
TelOne coach Herbert Maruwa praised his players for executing the game plan.
“I’m happy with the way the guys responded having gone two games without a win,” he said.
“We did our homework. Highlanders always concede through the centre, so we came with two strikers and switched from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2. It paid off.”
Highlanders pushed in the second-half, with Archford Faira lively on the left and Mason Mushore forcing a save from a free kick. Navaya also tried his luck from range on the hour, missing narrowly, before Reason Sibanda’s chip over Mverechena was hooked off the line by a retreating defender. Faira later delivered a perfect cross that Sibanda failed to connect with, summing up Bosso’s night of missed chances.
The defeat left Highlanders stuck in ninth place with 29 points, still searching for form and direction. TelOne’s disciplined display moved them up to sixth on 40 points, keeping them in touch with the top four.
Teams:
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda (gk), Arthur Ndlovu, Melikhaya Ncube, Prince Ndlovu (Panashe Mushonga 46), Tendai Muvuti (Reason Sibanda 46), Malvern Hativagoni (Mvelo Khoza 46), Brighton Ncube, Mason Mushore, Never Rauzhi, Archford Faira, Luckmore Mutumbi.
TelOne: Criss Mverechena (gk), Frank Makarati, Tafadzwa Jaravani, Nkosiyabo Masilela (Panashe Mtasa 63), Kudakwashe Nyakudanga, Pawell Govere, Eriya Mafirenyika, Bruno Mtigo, Tawanda Macheke, Prince Milanzi (Leeroy Murape 63), Washington Navaya.
