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Oscar Rusenga in Chisumbanje
GreenFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)1
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
LYNOTH Chikuhwa scored his 7th goal of the season late in the game cancelling out Bruno Mtigo’s first-half strike as ten men Highlanders held Greenfuel in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Greenfuel Arena yesterday.
Greenfuel were by far the better side in the opening half as Kelvin Kaindu’s men failed to cope with fast-passing football under the unusual scorching heat.
Munyaradzi Nyenye, who played right back in place of injured Reginald Chinemo, was in fantastic form and his flank was lively as he gave Marvellous Chigumira a first half to forget.
Nyenye overlapped in the 15th minute and delivered a beautiful cross but Bruno Mtigo, who also started the game after a long time on the sidelines, failed to get enough contact on the ball as Bosso goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi escaped unpunished.
Highlanders were again caught on the break as James Nguluve outpaced his marker with a beautiful run from the halfway line before lobbing the ball over Pitisi to give Mtigo the easiest of chances as he headed his effort into an open net from close range just after the half-hour mark. Boys Dzenharo, as GreenFuel is known to its faithful, exploited Bosso’s weakness and could have doubled their lead before half time but Nguluve shot straight at Pitisi with the goals wide open after benefiting from Tinoten-da Meke’s pass two minutes before the breather.
Pitisi’s block fell onto the feet of Meke, who was flat-footed and ran out of ideas before Brian Mlotshwa cleared the ball and avoided further damage.
The second half was action-packed as both teams produced some fluid passing game well controlled by Mutare-based referee Trinity Dirwai. The only blemish for the visitors came just after an hour mark when the last man on defence young left back Mvelo Khoza took one for the team committing a professional foul on Mtigo, who was through on goal.
Referee Dirwai was within touching distance and that made his decision easy as he awarded the hosts a freekick as well as the straight red to Khoza. GreenFuel capitalised on their numerical advantage and created numerous chances but Pitisi stood tall thwarting everything that came his way keeping his team in the game as well as giving his teammates the belief of a comeback.
Highlanders coach Kaindu made some tactical substitutions adding fresh legs and his team surely doubled their effort they were eventually rewarded for their hard work, scoring a beautiful equalizing team goal with seven minutes of regulation time remaining as Chikuhwa extended his tally as the league top goal scorer. GreenFuel sought to regain the lead and piled pressure on Bosso but Pitisi proved to be the differ-ence saving what looked like a sure goal from Mtigo right at the death.
Bosso were happy with the point and Kaindu conceded that Greenfuel stretched them to the limits.
“On all the draws that we have picked up, I think this is the draw we deserved. We had to play the last 30 minutes one man down after that sent off, the opponents played a good game and amongst all the games we have played they pushed us and made us work for the point,” said Kaindu.
GreenFuel assistant coach, Taurai Mangwiro was happy with his team’s progress but was somehow disappointed with the result after his side missed a glut of chances.
Week 14 Results
Yesterday
Arenel Movers 0-0 Bulawayo Chiefs
CAPS United 1-2 Simba Bhora
FC Platinum 1-0 Dynamos
Greenfuel 1-1 Highlanders
Manica Diamonds 1-0 Hwange
Saturday
Bikita Minerals 0-2 Ngezi Platinum
Chicken Inn 0-0 Chegutu Pirates
Herentals 2-1 TelOne
ZPC Kariba 1-0 Yadah
Latest Standings
P W D L F A Pts
Manica Diamonds 14 9 2 3 16 9 29
FC Platinum 14 8 4 2 21 10 28
Simba Bhora 14 7 3 4 16 13 24
Highlanders 14 5 7 2 18 12 22
Chicken Inn 14 5 7 2 13 9 22
Ngezi Platinum 14 5 6 3 15 12 21
Dynamos 14 4 7 3 14 11 19
CAPS United 14 5 3 6 17 14 18
Herentals 13 4 6 3 12 11 18
Bulawayo Chiefs 14 4 6 4 11 11 18
Bikita Minerals 13 4 5 4 12 12 17
ZPC Kariba 14 3 8 3 8 9 17
GreenFuel 14 4 5 5 12 15 17
Yadah 14 3 5 6 13 16 14
TelOne 14 2 6 6 14 20 12
Chegutu Pirates 14 3 3 8 8 16 12
Arenel Movers 14 1 8 5 7 15 11
Hwange 14 1 5 8 7 19 8
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