HIGHLANDERS . . . . . . . 0 HARARE CITY . . . . . . . . 0 Highlanders win 4-2 in penalty shootout
Highlanders’ third choice goalkeeper, youthful Prosper Matutu was a revelation for the Bulawayo giants as they defended the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Charities Shield after beating Harare City 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
After making brilliant saves in regulation time, Matutu denied Ronald Chitiyo and Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye in the penalty lottery to make sure Highlanders collected the $12 000 cheque for the second successive season, while runners-up Harare City collected $8 000.
Last year, Bosso also started their season by winning the ZNA Charities Shield after beating Dynamos 1-0 in the final.
Erick Mudzingwa, Prince Dube, Simon Munawa and Peter Muduhwa converted for Highlanders, while William Manondo and Jerry Chipangura scored for visiting Harare City, who could have won the match in regulation time had they not wasted many chances, with Matutu coming to the rescue of Highlanders on a number of occasions.
The young goalkeeper was ecstatic after the brilliant performance having been thrown into the deep end for his first competitive game for Highlanders.
“I was shocked at first when I was told that I was going to be the first choice for the match. But I did not let it go into my head. I played according to instructions. It is a big day for me,” an elated Matutu said during the post-match interview.
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Highlanders’ Dutch coach Erol Akbay said the young goalkeeper had always impressed him at training and he thought of trying him in yesterday’s game with Njabulo Nyoni on the bench.
“I am very happy with his performance. I have always trusted him,” Akbay said.
The youthful Highlanders side, which had Prince Dube, Nhlanhla Ndlovu, King Nadolo, Brian Banda, Peter Muduhwa, was outclassed in regulation time by
Harare City, but Akbay said as long as he keeps on winning, it’s good for him.
“The first half belonged to Harare City, but the second half was ours. We were lucky because of the good work of the goalkeeper. We won the cup and at the end of the day I am happy. I don’t care if I play badly, but I win all the time. My players have let me down in the last five to six weeks,” Akbay said.
Highlanders defended well, but without Bruce Kangwa, their counter attack was not good with a few chances being wasted by Ndlovu and Dube.
Godfrey Makaruse came in and changed the game for Highlanders in the second half with Banda impressive as a playmaker.
Harare City dominated the match and made numerous raids, with captain Francisco Zekumbawire, Martin Vengesai and Chitiyo shut out by the impressive Matutu, who was kept busy for the better part of the game.
Zekumbawire, who had opportunities to put his team in control of the match expressed his disappointment at the final result.
“The most disappointing part is that we played beautiful football and it was the luckier side that won and not the better. Penalty kicks are not predictable,” said the Harare skipper, whose coach Moses Chunga shared the same feeling.
“We had a good day and could have done it in 90 minutes, but we could not utilise our chances. I am not disappointed at all. It was a charity game, but we always play to win. I was impressed with our build-up from the back,” Chunga said.
TEAMS
HIGHLANDERS: P Matutu, T Ngulube, J Daudi, P Muduhwa, F Chindungwe, E Mudzingwa, K Nadolo (G Makaruse 55’), G Nyoni (S Munawa 90+’), B Banda, N Ndlovu, P Dube
HARARE CITY: M Nyamupangendengu, D Mawere, T Chimwemwe, M Nyenye, A Chivehya, R Chitiyo, L Muyambo, K Kumwala (J Chipangura 73’), M Vengesai, J Jam (W Manondo 73’) F Zekumbawire.
