HERENTALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
HIGHLANDERS . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
HIGHLANDERS bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to Caps United, but pressure continues to mount on coach Benjani Mwaruwari after his team was held by an in-form Herentals in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium.
It was Bosso’s eighth draw in their opening 10 matches of the season.
Just like last week, when they conceded both goals from set-pieces in a 2-1 home defeat against the Green Machine, Highlanders were once again undone by a dead-ball situation.
Tinashe Mazambani pounced to head home a rebound deep into first-half injury time after the Highlanders defenders were caught flat-footed following a corner kick.
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The goal cancelled out a 38th minute Isaac Ngoma penalty, awarded by referee Israel Nhevera after the lively Mongameli Tshuma had been fouled inside the box.
Mwaruwari, who has managed only one win in 10 matches since taking the helm at the start of the season, was visibly disappointed by his side’s inability to defend set-pieces.
The former Manchester City striker cut a frustrated figure on the touchline, especially after Herentals had another goal disallowed from a set-piece early in the second half.
“I’m disappointed that we conceded again from a set piece,” Mwaruwari lamented.
“Last weekend, it was the same story, and today, we conceded one minute into the second half and we didn’t manage the game so well.”
He added: “We need to work on that area of set pieces because we looked vulnerable.
“All of their set pieces looked dangerous, so they knew that we were weaker on that side, so they capitalised on that and they got a goal.”
Mwaruwari revealed that he had warned his players about the dangers of lapses in concentration at crucial moments.
“I spoke with the boys, that the first and last five minutes of every half you need to manage the game, play on their half, don’t concede set pieces, but unfortunately, we’re still learning and it’s another learning curve again for us.”
Mwaruwari conceded that the result could have been far worse for the Bulawayo giants, as Herentals finished the game the stronger side.
“They were all over us, Herentals in the dying minutes.
“They are a good team in terms of the aggression, and we couldn’t deal with their long balls in the second half.
“They could have buried this match in the last 10 minutes.
“We looked vulnerable, so that’s the challenges that we need to go back on the drawing board and try and rectify those mistakes.”
Opposing coach Celestino Benza, whose side started the game on the back of three straight wins, was satisfied with the stalemate.
“For me, it’s a pleasant result because coming back from one goal down against a big team like Highlanders, I think it’s something that is highly commendable and I’m very happy with the way the boys are fighting,” Benza said.
“I thought that we were going to win the game in the second half because we got the chances.
“Unfortunately we were not able to bury those chances. But at the end of the day, overall, I’m happy with the final result.”
Herentals enjoyed the early exchanges, but it was Highlanders’ wonderboy Mongameli Tshuma who forced the breakthrough.
He was impeded inside the box to generate a foul, allowing Ngoma to coolly slot past goalkeeper Tinotenda Takarinda for his second goal in successive matches.
The Students responded in the dying embers of the first half.
A corner from Wilmore Chimbetu was met with a firm header that Aron Ngwenya could only parry into the path of Mazambani, who made no mistake with the follow-up.
The second half saw the hosts maintain their momentum.
They thought they had snatched the lead early on, only for the assistant referee’s flag to rule the effort out for offside.
Highlanders nearly stole it back when Tshuma’s audacious effort direct from a corner kick clipped the crossbar, but the final stages belonged to Herentals.
Veteran striker Lot Chiwunga had two golden opportunities to win it—first being denied by a recovery tackle from Kuda Mahachi, and later seeing his goal-bound shot tipped onto the post by Ngwenya in the final seconds.
The result leaves Highlanders languishing in the bottom half of the log with 11 points, while Herentals remain in sixth place with 17 points, trailing leaders Caps United by five.
Teams
Herentals: T Takarinda, J Chitavira, M Chimedza, T Mupumha, E Chigora (B Moyo, 80’), P Mahembe (C Gobvu, 46’), B Phiri, R Kawondera, T Mazambani (L Chiwunga, 75’), W Chimbetu, I Benza [E Dombo, 46’ (M Fieldman, 75’]
Highlanders: A Ngwenya, M Khoza, N Chinyerere, K Mahachi, M Sibanda (D Jaricha, 58’), R Pavari (S Mhlanga, 46’), T Shenje, P Ndlovu (R Nyamono, 82’), M Tshuma, N Rauzhi, I Ngoma (B Adeogun, 58’)