Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders Highlanders made a statement of intent over the weekend as the second half of the season kicked off with a clinical demolition of Quelaton at Barbourfields.
It was the perfect response from Kelvin Kaindu’s men after defending champions Dynamos had crept into second position on Saturday after edging FC Platinum 2-1 to close the gap to three points.
But the win, engineered by two doubles from Milton Ncube and young Ozias Zibande, saw the gap increasing to six points while Shabanie Mine dislodged Dynamos after beating Gunners 2-0 at Maglas to reclaim second place.
Bhekimpilo Ncube, Masimba Mambare and goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda converted a penalty each in a match that could easily have ended 8-1 and a hat-trick for Milton had his spot-kick not been saved by Freedom Magaba.
Magaba then beat Sibanda from the spot at the other end after veteran forward Chipo Tsodzo was hacked down in the box by Highlanders skipper Innocent Mapuranga.
Despite the emphatic win, Kaindu still remains calm on title prospects. He maintains he is building a team for next season.
“We are just focusing on each game as it comes. It was a good game for us. We are building a team for the coming season because Highlanders have been in the doldrums having last won the league in 2006,” he said.
“It was a good start to the second half of the season and good to win the derby because derbies are always difficult. We have been scoring one goal in the past few games, but I am glad my players came to the party yesterday (Sunday).”
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They top the log table with 36 points from 16 games while Quelaton are stuck at the bottom with five points from 16 games.
Shabanie Mine are also posing a strong challenge in the league and are now second with 32 points from 16 games after edging Gunners 2-0 at Maglas Stadium on Sunday. Pevington Zimunya and Tarisai Rukanda scored for Shabanie Mine. Head coach Luke Masomere yesterday was modest on chances of clinching the league title saying his hope was that his side would continue putting maximum effort in all their games.
“I am happy with the way the team performed; we are just trying our best. Our aim is to finish the league strongly and for us to consolidate our position,” he said.
“Teams like Dynamos, Highlanders, Caps United and FC Platinum are earmarked for the championships. We are in the race but we are not favourites. But if an opportunity presents itself we will grab it. We just have to continue working hard and fight to the bitter end.”
Hwange technical manager Tennant Chilumba was a happy man as his charges beat Caps United 3-2 at the Colliery Stadium on Sunday which led to the sacking of Sean Connor and the entire technical team.
Connor was replaced by Taurayi Mangwiro, whose first task is to beat Highlanders at Rufaro this Saturday.
Hwange are on position eight with 23 points while Caps United are ninth on the log with 19 points from 16 games.
A Tendai Ndoro 85th minute strike saw Chicken Inn beat Harare City 1-0 at Luveve Stadium on Saturday. Chicken Inn are now fourth with 29 points from 16 games while Harare City are on position 10 with 19 points from 16 games.
