HIGHLANDERS shot to the top of the log, opening a two-point lead after whipping Tripple B in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday relegating former leaders Dynamos to second spot.
Report by Sukoluhle Mthethwa
Highlanders . . . . . . . (1) 4 Tripple B . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube opened the score sheet for Highlanders in the 12th minute before Bhekimpilo Ncube added the second in the 48th minute, Masimba Mambare scored the third in the 51st minute while substitute Ozias Zibande grabbed the fourth for the Bulawayo giants four minutes before full time. The relegation-threatened Beitbridge side got their consolation from Webster Chingodza in the 57th minute.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu who was away in Zambia on personal business but was back in time for yesterday’s match was happy with the result. “I am happy with the result, but I feel we should have scored more than four goals. But it is a great improvement on our part that we have scored four goals. We missed about 10 chances.
“I would also like to urge the supporters to rally behind the team even when the chips are down,” the Zambian gaffer said.
On the next match away to Black Rhinos Kaindu said:“ Black Rhinos have been consistent at home so I think it is important for us to work on a strategy that will help us get a good result.”
Tripple B coach Peter Manoti said they could have won or even drawn against Bosso.
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“Not taking anything away from Highlanders I think we conceded very silly goals. In the second half, we conceded two silly goals because we did not defend well. When you give away such goals away from home it is difficult to rise to the occasion. We could have won or drawn the match.
“We have to win all our remaining games. We can survive, anything is possible in football regardless of the situation,” he said.
Bosso took the lead 12 minutes in an exchange involving Bhekimpilo ,Mambare and Njabulo Ncube.
Mambare’s cross found Njabulo who made no mistake beating Tripple B goalkeeper Gilbert Chigwandaza.
Highlanders who seemed to be hungrier for goals came close to get the second when Bhekimpilo missed from close range in the 17th minute.
Bosso could have scored more goals but wasted chances with Njabulo skying his effort high three minutes later.
Tripple B goalkeeper Chigwandaza was kept busy as he was forced to punch away Peter “ Rio” Moyo’s shot in the 21st minute.
The visitors could have grabbed the equaliser in the 29th minute when Givemore Fireyi was fouled by Dumisani Ndlovu, but they failed to utilise the free-kick outside the box.
Bosso continued to attack and were rewarded three minutes from the break after Bhekimpilo beat Chigwandaza making up for his earlier miss. Mambare added the third in the 51st minute from close range after being set up by Njabulo.
A lapse in concentration by Highlanders defenders saw Chingodza pulling one back in the 57th minute.
Zibande who had come in for Njabulo in the 66th minute killed the match as a contest when headed past Chigwandaza to make it four.
