Buffaloes . . . . . . . (0)1 Highlanders . . . . .(0)1
KENNETH NYANGANI
HIGHLANDERS collected a crucial away point yesterday after holding a stubborn Buffaloes in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Sakubva Stadium.
An own goal salvaged the crucial point for the title-chasing giants and left them in second position with 41 points, one behind leaders Dynamos, who drew 0-0 with Monomotapa at Rufaro yesterday. Buffaloes head coach Timothy Masachi said they should have won the match.
“We should have won them match, it was just a lapse of concentration from my players. Anyway they played very well. We are now looking forward to playing them in the Mbada Diamonds Cup next week,” he said.
His counterpart Kelvin Kaindu said he was happy with the fighting spirit of his players.
“It was a good match from both teams, they are a good side. I’m also happy with the fighting spirit that was shown by my players. I think authorities at Buffaloes should also look at their pitch, it’s not suit for good football,” he added.
The match, which was a dress rehearsal ahead of the sides’ clash in the Mbada Diamonds last eight in Masvingo next Sunday lived to its billing which saw both teams charming the football followers with an entertaining match throughout the afternoon.
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Highlanders started the match on a strong foot pressing their opponents backwards and just four minutes into the game the visitors almost went ahead, but Nyoni failed to connect Simon Munawa’s cross.
As soon as the army side found their stride, both sides exchanged fierce raids. In the 17th Buffaloes striker Jacob Muzokomba surprised Highlanders shot-stopper Munyaradzi Diya with a stinging shot that scraped the paint off the cross-bar just from the centre.
Exciting Bosso star Bruce Kangwa’s good work on the left flank was in vain after gunslinger Nyoni failed to connect a pin-point cross. The visitors went under a wave of attack in a two-minute spell as in the 26th minute Diya was called into action, parrying away a Muzokomba close-range shot for a corner kick.
The resultant corner-kick saw Highlanders defender Lawson Nkomo being forced to clear off the line a Wonder Sithole firm header to survive another scare.
As both teams refused to be cowed into submission, just a minute after the breather Eric Mudzingwa brought down Muzokomba inside his box and referee Ruzive Ruzive did not hesitate to point to the spot.
Up stepped Steven Sibanda to beat Diya and eventually send the home side’s fans into frenzy, to take his tally to 11 goals this season. In the 58th minute Mthulisi Maphosa headed wide a Kangwa corner kick as Highlanders sought an equaliser.
On the hour, Diya tipped over the bar a Muzokomba header who had connected well Sibanda’s cross.
In the 81st minute a lapse in concentration by the army side’s defender Benevolio Mukwena almost gifted the visitors a goal, but substitute Ozias Zibande shot over the bar.
With Highlanders pressing forward Buffaloes striker Lloyd Katongomara who, came in for Muzokomba in the 68th scored an own goal in the 88th minute from a goal mouth melee to give the visitors a crucial point.
