ARENEL MOVERS . . . . . . . . . . 0
HIGHLANDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
HIGHLANDERS were looking to collect another set of three points away from the comforts of Barbourfields Stadium, but were frustrated to a draw against new boys Areneld yesterday.
The stalemate meant that the Bulawayo giants now have the same number of points as Manica Diamonds who defeated ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga on Saturday.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu said the draw felt like a defeat.
“It’s not even a point gained. I would say we dropped three points today. Out of all the games that we have drawn, I feel this is a game that we should have won. In terms of playing our local teams, we have drawn twice and lost once and I think there is a lot of complacency in our team. We have also noticed that every team that we draw with is celebrating. If you don’t score early against these teams you get frustrated. They will be going down and delaying like what that keeper was doing,” Kaindu said.
Arenel coach Farai Tawachera was happy with a draw which they dedicated to their vice-chairman Bheka “Mahii” Sibanda, who collapsed and died in a Bulawayo shop on Saturday morning.
“I am happy with the point. It’s not easy to play Highlanders. One needs to bring a lot of thinking into the game. We just said let them play and we play. But when we get the ball, let’s hit them where it matters most. We could have buried them in the first half. We were a bit hesitant in the final third. But it’s normal, we are a new team trying to work our combinations. It takes time,” Tawachera said.
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Arenel showed early in the game that they were not intent on just sitting to protect a point with forays of their own.
Highlanders’ shot-stopper Raphael Pitisi cut out a potentially dangerous cross by Arenel’s Kudzaishe Dzingwe in the 12th minute. A blunder by left-back Archford Faira and central defender Peter Muduhwa inside their penalty area almost cost Highlanders in the 17th minute, but Pitisi once again came to the rescue from another Dzingwe effort.
Brighton Ncube, for Highlanders, connected an Andrew Mbeba freekick in the 38th minute, but Arenel goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya made a brilliant save. Content with a draw, Arenel started employing time-wasting antics going into the second half with no meaningful attack from either side.
Ngwenya, the culprit in time-wasting was cautioned by referee Owen Manenda and Tawachera had no kind words for the goalkeeper after the match.
Highlanders skipper Muduhwa tried to lead by example, advanced upfront and caused anxious moments for Arenel Movers in the second half, but the goals would not come.
Teams:
Arenel Movers: A Ngwenya, K Dzingwe, B Jaravaza (C Chinomoma 84'), A Ndlovu, P Mwenda, G Chingwenhese, C Munkuli, Z Dambo, T January, C Machisi (T Banda 84'), B Ngwenya
Highlanders: R Pitisi, M Khoza, A Faira, A Mbeba, P Muduhwa, M Ncube, L Chikuhwa (B Ndlovu 76'), M Mushore (G Nyathi 76'), B Ncube, D Mhindirira (R Sibanda 62'), P Ndlovu (M Sibanda 62')
PSL Matchday 10 Results
Arenel 0-0 Highlanders
CAPS United 3-0 Hwange
Chegutu Pirates 1-2 Simba Bhora
