Highlanders dusted off their misfortunes of the past two weeks to beat city rivals Zimbabwe Saints in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields yesterday.
Simon Munawa’s blistering shot a minute into the first half opened the scoring for Bosso who had lost two matches in a row.
Lawson Nkomo added the second goal for Highlanders 40 minutes later through a penalty with the third coming from Vincent Nzombe in the 51st minute.
As early as 37 seconds into the match, Zimbabwe Saints were testing the Highlanders defence.
After a well-orchestrated build-up from the midfield Beavan Chikaka found himself with only goalkeeper Arial Sibanda to beat but sent a weak shot towards goal which was well dealt with.
Munawa’s goal came a minute into the game after Munyaradzi Diya, the Saints goalkeeper, failed to clear.
Instead he found Munawa outside the box whose first time shot went straight into the back of the net.
In the 27th minute Saints goalkeeper Diya had to stretch to save Lewis Matawu’s effort from a Tshuma cross.
Two minutes later Munawa almost gave Saints an opportunity to score when, instead of clearing he passed the ball into the path of Peter Muzondo on the edge of the box.
Unfortunately for Saints Muzondo dilly-dallied until the Highlanders defence recovered and cleared.
Eric Mudzingwa’s shot towards goal in the 40th minute caused Voster Chitemu to handle inside the box and Highlanders were awarded a penalty by referee Bekezela Makeka.
Nkomo took the responsibility and blasted the ball into the net with Diya diving the wrong way.
Six minutes into the second half Nzombe won the ball in the midfield and raced towards goal. He released a shot that hit the crossbar before bouncing back into play. Nkomo’s shot from the rebound was kicked back by Danisa Phiri. But the clearance fell into the path on Nzombe, who was eagerly waiting, and made no mistake.
Zimbabwe Saints had their first meaningful effort in the 56th minute but Chipo Tsodzo’s shot from Ntokozo Tshuma passed in front of the goalmouth. Tsodzo was given another opportunity when he got a cross from substitute Joel Nyama in the 65th minute but he skied his effort.
A minute later Castro Ndebele, on for Mlamuli Phakathi in the 61st minute dispossessed Gift Lunga (junior) on the edge of their box.
His cross to Tsodzo was intercepted by Gilbert Banda who pushed it out for a corner. The corner was poorly taken. Saints’ last attempt came on the stroke of full time when Rahman Kutsanzira and Nkomo infringed on Muzondo just outside the Saints box. Gift Phiri’s free kick found Tsodzo but he skied his header.
Saints coach Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo said they missed a chance of scoring early.
“It is another bad day in the office,” said Khumalo.
Highlanders coach Mkhuphali Masuku gave credit to his team for the win.
“It was a tough game but at the same time it was our game. After losing two games the boys were determined to win and it paid off,” he said.
Teams
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, G. Banda, R. Kutsanzira, G. Lunga (Jnr), I. Mapuranga, L. Matawu (R. Mabhena 83rd minute), E. Mudzingwa, S. Munawa (N. Ncube 73rd minute), L. Nkomo, V. Nzombe, A. Tshuma (A. Ndiweni 88th minute).
Zimbabwe Saints: M. Diya, V. Chitemu (G. Phiri 61st minute), C. Tsodzo, D. Phiri, T. Maingire, N. Tshuma, L. Kurauzvione, B. Chikaka (J. Nyama 53rd minute), P. Muzondo, A. Mbaiwa, M. Phakathi (C. Ndebele 61st minute).

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