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Bongani Mafu

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS FC have refused to be carried away by their slender 1-0 win over new boys Tsholotsho that saw them move off the relegation zone to ninth on the table, three points behind early pacesetters.Dynamos and Caps United are the only two clubs with a perfect start to the season so far, having won their opening two matches.

DeMbare remain the only club yet to concede while Chapungu, who lost 0-1 to Dynamos on Saturday are the only side yet to score.

It was Amahlolanyama’s first win of the season following their 0-2 loss to ZPC Kariba on match day one last weekend, the first time in 18 years that Highlanders had lost an opening encounter of the season.

Urged on by their never-say-die supporters who braved the impending rains and came in their numbers to give the boys that extra zeal to push forward, Bongani Mafu’s boys got what proved to be their all important goal through a fluke but wonder goal from young defender Teenage Hadebe in the 34th minute. Tsholotsho’s sometimes over elaborate goalkeeper Chang Mariyoni must also take some blame for the goal. There is need for the teething Premiership goalkeeper to appreciate that the flagship league in the country is serious business not child’s play.

After the Hadebe wonder, Bosso seemed to be all over their opponents and ready to pummel the new boys into submission but much to their credit, Iziqholo zeZhwane refused to honour their more illustrious opponents.

With a bit of accuracy though, Bosso could have buried their opponents as they missed two clear-cut chances, the first falling on experienced striker Obadiah Tarumbwa after Bruce Kangwa had sent in a nice pass to ginger-haired Thomas Chidewu who miscued his attempt for the kill.

His weak shot beat Mariyoni and the ball fell on the path of Tarumbwa who surprisingly scooped the ball over the bar. The second chance for Bosso came deep into the second half when Chidewu and speed merchant Gabriel Nyoni took turns to miss the ball in front of an empty net.

In an interview from Victoria Falls yesterday where he had taken his family on a tour, Mafu said while it was good to collect maximum points, the win should not get them carried away.

“We are fully focused on our next match against Hwange on Friday. We don’t want to get carried away by that win over Tsholotsho.  I don’t  think that we have turned the corner,” said Mafu who had been under pressure to start winning.

He said they have been waiting for the win for a long time and remained hopeful that the victory would spur them on.

He was not even talking of the championship.

“For now we need to steady the ship and continue winning and only then can we start talking about the championship but at the moment we are not entertaining such talk. Some teams have recorded two wins out of two while others are yet to lose, so for the championship, let’s talk later my brother,” he said.

The former teacher of French defended his goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda who surprised many at the stadium by continuously applying delaying tactics, at a time when the team was on minus-one goal difference. Bosso have twice failed to win the league title due to an inferior goal difference.

“It was not timewasting as such but Ariel is an experienced player who was aware that since we were leading there was probably no need to rush and then get caught on a counter attack. In fact he wanted the opposition to get forward and then catch them on a counter attack instead because they were too defensive,” said Mafu.

Match Day Two results

Sunday: Tsholotsho FC 0-1 Highlanders, Caps United 1-0 FC Platinum, Dongo Sawmills 1-2 How Mine, Hwange 3-3 ZPC Kariba
Saturday: Chapungu 0-1 Dynamos, Flame Lily 1-1 Whawha, Harare City 2-0 Chicken Inn, Buffaloes 1-1 Triangle