Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THEY named him Reason and at The Heart Stadium on Saturday, he gave Highlanders every reason to believe. Reason Sibanda was the man of the moment, bagging a clinical brace that powered Kelvin Kaindu’s side to their first away win of the season, a commanding 2-0 triumph over Yadah FC.
The gritty forward broke the deadlock just four minutes in, before sealing the deal with a composed finish in the 66th minute. The victory pushed Highlanders to fourth on the log with 17 points, just five adrift of leaders, MWOS.
Sibanda’s standout display also took his personal tally to five goals this season, three behind TelOne’s Washington Navaya, who leads the scoring charts. But what gives his story an extra edge is how he scripted this moment on familiar turf, the same venue where he netted his very first Premiership goal last season.
Sibanda had made his debut at The Heart Stadium while on loan at Bulawayo Chiefs, where he scored the solitary goal in a 2-1 defeat to Yadah Stars. That short-lived loan spell was bitter-sweet.
“Last season was my first year in the PSL, under Highlanders, and they sent me on loan to Bulawayo Chiefs in the mid-season. I was with them during a gruelling time, fighting relegation and unfortunately, we failed to save the club.
I came back to Highlanders this season and this morning, I told my teammates that this is where I got my first PSL goal. I had a feeling I would score again today and I’m happy, I even got an extra one,” he said.
What made Saturday sweeter was not just the brace, but the journey. Being loaned out in your debut season can be a crushing blow. For Sibanda, it stung deeply.
“I was upset when I went on loan. As a player, who just got into the top flight, you begin to feel like you’re not good enough. For some time, I doubted my abilities. Fighting relegation with no luck, mentally, I was in distress,” he said.
But through the uncertainty, Sibanda found resolve. He doubled his work rate, sharpened his finishing and quietly rebuilt his confidence. Unbeknown to him, Highlanders were watching.
“While I was away, I got a different perspective and appreciation of the game. I learnt that self-targets are key for any player, and continued growth is what I should strive for every day. So, this year, my aim is to reach double figures.
“However, I know it won’t be easy because this is just my second term in the top flight and I still need to learn a lot. Reaching double figures will be a good achievement for myself and also for the team in the long run. I do not want to get ahead of myself. I need to remain focused and trust the process, because this is not an overnight thing,” he said.
His renewed energy did not go unnoticed. Kaindu, impressed by the striker’s growth, called for his return this season. Now, Sibanda is not only back in Bosso colours, he’s becoming the face of their frontline. His coach continues to push him.
Kaindu knows the void left by the 2024 Golden Boot winner Lynoth Chikuhwa, now at Scottland, is wide. And he’s banking on Sibanda, Melikhaya Ncube and Brighton Ncube to step up.
“Away wins have been elusive for some time and I am happy we finally got the groove. I am charmed by what Sibanda did for us, so now, it is key for us to maintain that. Remember, every team has its own targets. We have ours, so we need to be consistent to get there,” said Kaindu.
Consistency, composure, confidence, that’s the new trinity Sibanda is chasing.
He’s no longer the boy on loan fighting to survive. He’s the man of reason and Bosso fans now know exactly why.
