HIGHLANDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 2
BULAWAYO CHIEFS . . . . . . . . (2) 2
(Highlanders won 6-5 after penalty shootout)
HIGHLANDERS goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda was the toast of the day yesterday when he saved two penalties and scored one as his side beat Bulawayo Chiefs to sail through to the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Bosso and the Ninjas had played an entertaining four goal thriller in regulation time.
Sibanda was the first penalty-taker beating his counterpart Khumbulani Dube who came in for Issah Ali two minutes into optional time.
He then saved Mandlenkosi Gasela's third spot kick and Panashe Shoko's seventh for Chiefs.
Other scorers from the spot for Highlanders were Brighton Manhire, Mckinnon Mushore, Peter Muduhwa, Stanley Ngala and Mbongeni Ndlovu, while Andrew Mbeba had his penalty saved by Dube.
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Highlanders coach Baltemar Brito was ecstatic after the match.
"This is football. We played a good team with a good coach who just arrived at Chiefs. His philosophy was very difficult. There were missed opportunities from both sides and the crowd that came to watch was very amazing. I was only worried about my team because I didn't know the strategy of the new coach. I just went into the game blindly and in the dark. I would like to congratulate my players. They worked very hard and it was a beautiful game,” Brito said.
Chiefs gaffer, Johanisi Nhumwa said: “We played according to plan. After two to three weeks, with this mentality from the boys, it will be amazing. I have been watching Highlanders play even home and away. It was very easy for me to plan. Highlanders is a very good and solid team and if you manage to score against Highlanders that is something else. I'm quite happy I have broken that jinx of Highlanders not being scored.”
The Ninjas finished the game with 10 men after Kim Joe Sibanda was sent off by referee Thabani Bamala in the 59th minute for a second bookable offence.
In regulation time, Chiefs scored first in the 14th minute with a sensational free-kick from Phiri with the ball hitting the cross-bar and back to goalkeeper Sibanda's hands before crossing the line.
Obriel Chirinda had been brought down by Brighton Manhire outside the penalty area and referee Bamala awarded the Ninjas a free-kick.
Highlanders replied three minutes later through Lynoth Chikuhwa getting to the end of an Andrew Mbeba free-kick inside the penalty area.
They got their second in the 20th minute from Mckinnon Mushore, set up by Eshamar Farasi following a good build-up from the centre.
The Ninjas restored parity a minute before the break through Farau Matare when Highlanders were caught up in a defensive mix-up inside the box.
Chiefs could have scored as early as the eighth minute when Gasela dribbled past one man before skying his effort.
Highlanders' Farasi also sent his commendable effort over the bar from outside the box in the 12th minute.
The second half did not produce any goals save for three minutes after the break when Bosso striker Washinton Navaya came face to face with Chiefs goalkeeper Ali, but his weak shot was safely collected by the goal minder.
Teams
Highlanders: A Sibanda, A Mbeba, A Faira, M Ndlovu, P Muduhwa, B Manhire, Mckinnon Mushore, M Ncube (D Mukuli 79'), W Navaya (C Chigonero 61'), E Farasi (D Mhindirira 61'), L Chikuhwa (S Ngala 79')
Bulawayo Chiefs: I Ali (K Dube 90+2'), K Sibanda, M Msebe, A Ncube, O Chirinda (P Shoko 90'), M Mkolo, D Phiri, S Chimanikire, M Gasela, F Moyo, F Matare (B Veremu 90+2')
