HIGHLANDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
BULAWAYO CHIEFS . . . . . . . . . . . 0
HIGHLANDERS picked up another set of three points after they dispatched a hapless Bulawayo Chiefs in an exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
The win took the Bulawayo giants’ points tally to 32, as their push for for this year's championship gathers momentum.
A goal in either half by Marvin Sibanda and skipper Peter Muduhwa was all that the Kelvin Kaindu-coached Bosso needed to walk away victorious after their win over Dynamos in Harare last week.
Sibanda opened the scoring three minutes before half time with a gem of a shot from a free-kick from outside the penalty area sending Highlanders' fans into a delirium.
It was his third goal for Highlanders.
Captain Peter Muduhwa doubled Bosso’s advantage on the hour mark with a tap in on the far post from a long cross on the left by Andrew Mbeba. It was Muduhwa’s first goal of the season.
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Chiefs captain Lucky Ndlela had handled just a few metres outside the box.
Highlanders coach Kaindu was ecstatic with the victory, but said his boys could have scored more had they converted all their scoring opportunities.
“It's another victory. We managed to score two goals and keep a clean sheet. These are vital points that we dropped in the first round in all the derbies that we played. The only challenge is the inability to convert the several chances that we create,” Kaindu said.
Chiefs’ gaffer Thulani Sibanda rued losing a number of players who have moved to other clubs in the transfer window.
“We did create some chances in the first half and could have scored. We have to admit that with some key guys leaving the team, we need some time, but not for long. Very soon, we will come out right. It's unfortunate we had to start with this game of a high magnitude but it will not be the same in the next two games,” Sibanda said.
The Ninjas lost marksman Never Rauzhi to Highlanders.
Highlanders could have scored as early as the fifth minute but Brighton Ncube' shot from outside the box narrowly missed the upright.
Two minutes later, he missed a sitter with only goalkeeper Prosper Matutu to beat after he was set up by McKinnon Mushore.
Lynoth Chikuhwa packed a shot from a narrow angle in the 23rd minute, but Matutu was equal to the task.
The Ninjas got a chance to equalise a minute into the second half, but Leroy Ndlovu's close range effort went wide from a Godfrey Muchenje cross.
Teams
Highlanders: R Muza, M Chigumira, A Faira, A Mbeba, P Muduhwa, M Ncube, L Chikuhwa (N Banda 67'), G Makaruse (H Mhlanga 82'), B Ncube (N Ndlovu 57'), M Mushore (A Nkomo 82'), M Sibanda (G Nyathi 82')
Bulawayo Chiefs: P Matutu, C Musikavanhu, L Ndlovu (C Makamba 84'), B Sibanda (J Nyabinde 46'), E Chikwende, N Masilela, N Ncube (S Sikhosana 84'), L Ndlela, P Shoko, G Muchenje (M Dube 75'), J Masaza
