Andrew
Sports Reporter
WhaWha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 2
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
BASEMENT side WhaWha staged another giant-killing act when they thumped in an exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Ascot yesterday.
Unheralded forward Albert Matewu scored a first-half brace before turning villain early into the second stanza when he was shown a second yellow card for simulation.
Lynoth Chikuhwa replied for Highlanders.
Bosso, who succumbed to their first defeat under Brazilian coach Baltemar Brito, also finished the game a man short after striker Stanley Ngala saw red.
Skipper Ariel Sibanda, a trusted penalty taker, strangely missed from the spot six minutes from time, much to the disappointment of the Bulawayo giants’ fans, who invaded Gweru in droves yesterday in scenes reminiscent of the famed Bosso roadshow at the turn of the millennium.
Despite Bosso slumping to a defeat, the club’s fans at Ascot still gave Brito and his players a standing ovation in show of confidence in the revolution the expatriate gaffer is trying to undertake at Highlanders.
WhaWha might be stuck in the relegation zone but they seem to always reserve their best for the top teams.
The prison wardens have also beaten Chicken Inn and Ngezi Platinum Stars at Ascot. And their coach Luke Petros was naturally a happy man.
The former Kaizer Chiefs striker has not had many occasions to smile this season.
“It is one of the turning points of our season,” Petros said.
“The moment we take advantage of our home games, it is an assurance that we are going to survive relegation. This win is a life lighter,” he added.
Brito was gracious in his first defeat since replacing Mandla Mpofu at Highlanders.
“Congratulations to WhaWha.
“This was not an easy match. We conceded two goals from mistakes and after that we tried to come back but we didn’t manage to get an equaliser,” he said.
At the National Sports Stadium, Tyler Mugoniwa’s solitary strike earned Harare City a 1-0 win against Triangle.
It was the first win in eight matches for Taurai Mangwiro’s side, who have struggled for rhythm this season.
Ironically, Triangle are the club that Mangwiro left to join Harare City during the off-season.
Although they bagged maximum points, the Sunshine Boys are also still staring relegation, as they are tied on 22 points with Cranborne Bullets, who occupy the last relegation slot.
Online Reporter