HIGHLANDERS . . . . . . (1)1
BLACK RHINOS . . . . . . . . 0
HIGHLANDERS put behind them a turbulent week by executing a professional job against struggling Black Rhinos in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Having gone unbeaten in the league so far this season, many believed this match would most likely spoil the fine run following in-house problems which saw coach Baltemar Brito having brushes with the club management after he revealed that he was on the prowl for another job.
Bosso never looked any different, maintaining their stealth and resilience at the back to defend a first half strike.
Striker Stanley Ngala was brought down just outside the penalty area in the 29th minute and up stepped the lanky Andrew Mbeba with a curler, forcing Rhinos goalkeeper Lenon Gonese to spill the ball into the nets.
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It was Highlanders’ 19th game without a defeat in the league and they rule the roost on the log standings with 41 points.
Brito contended that he was still developing his team and was ecstatic that in the process, he was winning games.
“This is so good that we are not conceding goals and we are collecting points. We are still developing our team and it’s good developing while you win and in the end, it’s another game done and it’s a marathon. There are some kilometres that we have to cover with pace,” Brito said.
The visitors’ coach Saul Chaminuka was disappointed.
“If you make a mistake, you get punished. We did go up, but we were not convincing in terms of aggression. Today, we also lacked the last pass, but nevertheless, we played well and the discipline in the team has improved and now we shift focus to the next game,” he said.
Four minutes into the game, Mbeba got the opportunity to break the deadlock, but had his curling shot saved by Gonese.
Not to be outdone, the army side put pressure on the hosts in the 10th minute and Lot Chiwunga’s thunderbolt from inside the box was saved by goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.
Two minutes later, Highlanders striker Ngala came face to face with Gonese, who saved the day for the army side.
In the 31st minute, the Bulawayo giants got another scoring opportunity, but striker Lynoth Chikuwa’s shot sailed over the cross bar.
The visitors had an upper hand from the outset, with Highlanders taking a casual approach, but Mbeba’s goal deflated the soldiers up to half time.
Five minutes into the second half, Gonese made two brilliant saves from Mckinnon Mushore, with Melikhaya Ncube following up on the rebound.
The Rhinos goal minder made another save from a goalkeeper Sibanda penalty after substitute Devine Mhindirira was brought down inside the box by Valentine Katsande in the 64th minute and referee Mhaka Magare pointed to the spot.
Teams
Highlanders: A Sibanda, A Mbeba, A Faira, M Ndlovu, P Muduhwa, B Manhire (D Mukuli, 46’), L Chikuhwa (W Navaya, 73’), M Ncube, S Ngala (C Chigonero, 73), E Farasi (D Mhindirira, 63’), M Mushore
Black Rhinos: L Gonese, C Nyakope, G Saunyama, T Mchisa, D Mutimuzeve, V Katsande (K Chiripawako, 83’), S Chikwerenge (N Mhlanga, 56’), A Gahadzikwa (P Mukombwe, 56’) E Katema, L Chiwunga, G Dematsika