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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
Bosso90 0 – 3 Bantu Rovers
EX-HIGHLANDERS juniors’ players Gladman Bharibhari and Ben Munsaka returned to haunt Bosso with the former scoring the opener for Bantu Rovers while the latter was involved in the build-up to two goals. Bharibhari, 17, joined Rovers from Bosso at the beginning of last season and opened the floodgates for his side two minutes into the second half connecting a perfect delivery from Jileni Nsingo.

Three minutes later Rovers’ captain and national Under-20 striker Bukhosi Sibanda finished off a move that was started by Munsaka in midfield as they tore apart the Khulumani Moyo-marshalled Bosso defence. Sibanda then completed his double heading in a Munsaka corner to put the game beyond the reach of Bosso in the 75th minute.

The victory against Bosso powered Rovers back to second position as they now have 18 points and trail leaders Amagagasi who were inactive by a point after seven games.

Johannes Ngodzo, Rovers’ coach who has led the side to six unbeaten games since losing their first match of the season, heaped praises on his charges for turning the game around in the second half.

“This was a good game and having shared the dressing room for more than 10 years with Bosso 90 coach Melusi Sibanda, I knew it was going to be a difficult game. Remember this was a derby and most of these boys stay in the same neighbourhoods so pride was at stake. They pinned us in the first half but I think after the break when we got the first goal their youngsters panicked and lost focus,” said Ngodzo.

About the championship, Ngodzo said they are taking each match at a time. Bosso could have scored at least three goals in the first half, with livewire striker Ray Lunga holding his head in disbelief after being denied by the frame of the goal in the second minute.

Lunga who kept veteran defender Lindelani ‘Vice’ Ncube on his toes for the better part of the first stanza had a penalty appeal turned down after the half-hour mark when he was hacked down in the box. Bosso midfielder Arnold ‘Poonkie’ Ndiweni blew a golden opportunity when he shot straight at the keeper after getting to the end of a Moyo long pass.

“We lost to a more experienced team because if you look at the guys like Zephania Ngodzo, Vice and Joshua Wilson, they all have played in the First Division. We missed them in the first half and paid dearly for that,” said Sibanda. In other matches, Victoria Falls Tigers got their second win of the season, beating Talen Vision 3-1 while Black boots drew 1-1 with ZRP Hwange.

Results
Saturday: Amagagasi v ZRP Bulawayo Province (Victoria Falls, postponed), Ntabazinduna 1-0 Indlovu Iyanyathela, ZPC Hwange 1-0 Casmyn, Makomo 0-0 Hwange Juniors

Yesterday: Victoria Falls Tigers 3-1 Talen Vision, Bosso 90 0-3 Bantu Rovers, Black Boots 1-1 ZRP Hwange