IT all ended in doom for Highlanders as former striker Nqobile Mpala struck late in the second half to gift How Mine a Bulawayo Derby win in a Castle Premiership football match played at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Report by Fortune Mbele
Highlanders . . . . . . . (1) 1 How Mine . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Hebert Dick had given his former team Highlanders the lead in the 14th minute with a deflected shot, but made amends with a header from a corner in the 44th minute to level the scores at the breather before Mpala struck seven minutes from time.
It was Highlanders’ second loss of the season — and their second at home — and they dropped to second spot with 20 points from 10 matches, one point behind leaders FC Platinum who drew 1-1 with Monomotapa at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday.
How Mine, coached by former Highlanders son Philani Mabhena, moved to fourth place with 20 points, the same as Harare City who are third after beating Triangle 2-0 at Rufaro on Friday afternoon.
The three teams on 20 points are separated by goal difference, heading into the mid-week fixtures.
Mabhena was over the moon after beating Bosso at BF, but remained adamant that his side was still fighting relegation.
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“We are very happy for the three points from Highlanders, but it hurts a bit beating a team that I grew up supporting. But I have a job to do. We are still fighting relegation. We now have 20 points and we are looking at getting 16 from the remaining games and then we are safe,” Mabhena said.
Kelvin Kaindu, the Bosso mentor, was disappointed with the loss.
“It’s unfortunate that we lost, but we played one of our best games so far especially in the first half. The loss put us at a disadvantage as we head for our away match against Monomotapa next Thursday. We could have opened up the gap at the top,” Kaindu said.
Bosso drew first blood in the 14th minute after midfielder Peter “Rio” Moyo beat an offside trap on the left and sent in a cross which was missed by Beaven Chikaka and eluded How Mine goalkeeper Pedzisai Gumiremhete before the ball bounced onto Dick and went into his own empty net.
The defence stalwart then turned hero on the stroke of half time with a powerful header from the deep end from a Timothy January corner kick, which Bosso goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya and his defender could not help but watch. A combined defensive fluff by Bosso skipper Innocent Mapuranga and left back Simon Munawa cost Highlanders seven minutes before the final whistle as the encounter seemed headed for a stalemate.
Mapuranga’s pass, intended for Bruce Kangwa, was intercepted by Simba Sithole whose cross was also miscued by Munawa poking the ball past an exposed Diya.
It was a tale of wasted chances for Highlanders especially in the first half with Dick and Gilbert Banda kept on their toes by Chikaka, the wasteful and clueless Cleopas Dube and the impressive Kangwa.
On the other hand, the defence of Mapuranga and Dumisani Ndlovu was impressive ably supported by Moyo and Hillary Madzivanyika.
Teams Highlanders: M Diya, S Munawa, B Kangwa, D Ndlovu, I Mapuranga, H Madzivanyika, C Dube (N Ncube 53rd minute), P Moyo, B Chikaka, M Mambare (O Zibande 72nd minute), M Ncube (H Masuku 53rd minute)
How Mine: P Gumiremhete, B Dube, K Banda, G Banda, H Dick, O Mpofu, M Mupera, T Masuku, T January, L Ngara (N Mpala 46th minute), S Sithole (S Njeleza 89th minute)
