HIGHLANDERS . . . . . . . (0) 2 BORDER STRIKERS . . . . . . 0
BRUCE Kangwa grabbed a brace to power Highlanders to an important win over struggling Border Strikers at Barbourfields Stadium, propelling Bosso to the summit of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
The Bulawayo giants now enjoy a two-point cushion over nearest rivals Caps United and ZPC Kariba, the latter whom they face at the weekend.
Kangwa has often carried Bosso on his shoulders this term and yesterday, he took responsibility once again, revelling in his attacking role.
Border Strikers had frustrated Highlanders in the first half, stubborn in their defensive shape, and it took a penalty to breach their back line after central defender, Frank Mukarati handled the ball inside the box in the 53rd minute after he miscued clearance from a Brian Banda cross.
Referee Allen Bhasvi pointed to the spot, but Border Strikers players protested and walked out before they were admonished by coach, Saul Chaminuka, who, however, was also not happy with the referee’s decision to award Highlanders the penalty.
Kangwa converted the spot-kick in the 55th minute, sending goalkeeper, Talent Sunday the wrong way.
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The Highlanders attacking midfielder was on target once more in the 79th minute with a scorcher inside the penalty box after he was teed up by Knox Mutizwa, in a move initiated from the right by Banda.
Despite the win, Highlanders coach, Erol Akbay was not happy with his boys’ performance, but was content with getting the three points ahead of the clash against ZPC Kariba at BF on Sunday.
“I can complain about everything, but today, what was most important was the result. The performance in the first half was very bad,” he said.
“We had two or three chances, but with this kind of team, you need a minimum of 10 chances and you have to score a minimum of five or six goals, but we did not do that. We played better in the second half, but it was still not good enough. But what is more important is we go the three points.”
Highlanders are now on 23 points with Caps United and ZPC Kariba tied on 21 points.
Chaminuka, who dismissed media reports he was leaving Border Strikers, after the weekend match against Ngezi Platinum Stars, was not happy with penalty, which he said was the turning point of the game.
“I think my players did well and Highlanders also played well. But I have a problem with how matches are handled,” he said.
“That penalty, there, was the turning point of this game and sometimes you look at the game of football and ask yourself and others where we are going if people are going to influence results like this. Their second goal was a beautiful one, but only came after that penalty. They (Highlanders) had failed to unlock that defence and because my boys were frustrated because of that penalty, they were bound to be disorganised.”
Border Strikers lost their ninth match of the season and remain at the bottom, with just three points from one win in 10 matches.
TEAMS
HIGHLANDERS: N Nyoni, B Phiri (B Ncube 85’), H Moyo, P Muduhwa, F Chindungwe, E Mudzingwa, P Dube, K Nadolo (B Banda 26’), K Mutizwa, B Kangwa, S Munawa (A Silla 83’)
BORDER STRIKERS: T Sunday, P Muzondo, M Variso, F Mukarati, E Mwinga, G Mukambi, T Mugadzaweta (B Chirumanzi 57’), H Chikosa, M Chirage (J Borges 58’), T Jaravani (W Nyoni 72’), T Kalungu
