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Bongani Mafu

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
Bulawayo City 0-0 Highlanders
HIGHLANDERS FC are still searching for their first pre-season win despite their coach Bongani Mafu expressing satisfaction with his team’s preparations for the new season.

Yesterday, the Bulawayo giants played their third official pre-season game against Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer league newboys Bulawayo City who held them to a goalless draw at Barbourfields Stadium.

It was the first time that Highlanders has failed to score, having played to identical 1-1 draws with Chapungu and FC Platinum at home.

They paraded their new signings Obadiah Tarumbwa, Teenage Hadebe and Nqobizitha Masuku who played the first half and imposed themselves well before being pulled out at half time.

Tarumbwa played as a silent striker, coming from the midfield and showed some deft touches but never got an opportunity to force a save from Bulawayo City’s goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda.

Teenage partnered Douglas Sibanda in central defence and exerted himself well while Masuku was paired with Welcome Ndiweni in central midfield and was on top of his game.

Highlanders’ first chance at goal came at the stroke of halftime when Thomas Chideu twisted and turned in the box before firing a shot that was pushed for a corner by a well positioned Ndodana. From the resultant corner, Bulawayo City’s  goalie dived to his right to punch away a Knox Mutizwa goal-bound header off a Bruce Kangwa cross.

Ndodana kept Bulawayo City in the game with two stunning saves first tipping for a corner a Chideu dipping long-range volley eight minutes into the second half before denying Douglas a spectacular goal in the 77th minute.

Bulawayo City seemed comfortable to get a draw and never troubled Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda who was a spectator throughout the game.

Despite failing to find the back of the net, Highlanders coach Mafu said his combinations are coming through and they will soon start “smacking” opponents.

“One of these days someone will get smacked for real. I liked the way the players responded in the second half because in the first stanza we gave our opponents too much respect but I told them during the break that they have to go back and enjoy their football. I told them that they have to entertain the crowd so that they come back next week and I must say the boys went a gear up and were unfortunate not to get a goal,” said Mafu.

“We now have a team at Highlanders and you can see that they are good players. I still need a right back though but if we fail to get one we are going to try the young man (Lewis Ncube) and give him game time until he improves.”

Bulawayo City coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube was full of praise for his goalkeeper who kept them in the game and was content with his team’s overall performance.

“I was surprised that we managed to hold a Highlanders side that is better than us in terms of fitness. You could tell that we struggled with transition going forward and vice versa. However, I’m happy with how we played and even our goalkeeper did well to keep us in the game with brilliant saves,” Ncube said.

Teams

Bulawayo City: Ndodana Sibanda, Tawanda Chikore, Khumbulani Dube (Terrence Majo, 51st minute), Zibusiso Sibanda, Brighton Dube, Xolisani Moyo, Innnocent kutsanzira (Mlamuli Phakathi, 66th minute), Warren Dube (Bekithemba Ngwenya, 51st minute), Ntokozo Tshuma, (Trynos Ndlovu, 23rd minute), Eddy Nkulungo (Trevor Ndlovu, 66th minute), Mkhululi Moyo (Qinani Sibanda, 66th minute)

Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Lewis Ncube, Douglas Sibanda, Teenage Hadebe (Felix Chindungwe, 46th minute), Julius Daudi, Nqobizitha Masuku (Tendai Ngulube, 46th minute), Bruce kangwa, Knox mutizwa (Rahman kutsanzira, 46th minute), Welcome Ndiweni (Edmore Muzanenhamo, 72nd minute), Thomas Chideu (Ozias Zibande, 72nd minute), Obidiah Tarumbwa (Gabriel Nyoni, 46th minute)