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

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
Highlanders 2-1 Tsholotsho FC
TSHOLOTSHO FC now need an outright victory in their last game of the season to survive relegation after going down to Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium in a match they could have earned a point had the strikers brought their shooting boots. Highlanders lived to their pre-match declaration that they were not going to do Tsholotsho any favours by fielding a strong team and scored two goals in the first half, which they dominated.

Bosso shot into the lead in the 36th minute through Ralph Matema, who beautifully connected a tantalising cross from left-back Bruce Kangwa to beat a hapless Tsholotsho goalkeeper Nickel Marichi.

It was one of the best goals seen at Barbourfields in recent years and Matema should be credited for accurately connecting Kangwa’s hard and low cross on the half volley.

Four minutes later, Simon Munawa doubled Highlanders’ lead capitalising on a mix-up between Marichi and his defenders, who clashed trying to deal with a cheeky King Nadolo cross from the right.

Tsholotsho returned from the breather a more determined side and pulled one back in the 49th minute through veteran Joel Luphahla from a free kick in their only shot on target in the match.

Iziqholo zeZhwane were awarded a free kick on the penalty box arch after Bosso defender Felix Chindungwe had brought down striker Lynnoth Chikuhwa, and Luphahla’s grounder easily beat keeper Ariel Sibanda.

Tsholotsho enjoyed superior ball possession after their goal and should have equalised on the hour mark when Luphahla collected a loose ball in midfield and released Simbarashe Gorogodyo, who sent a through pass to Nixon Gama, whose shot went across the face of goal.

The Zhwane Boys tried to build through the midfield but found Bosso’s defence resolute. While Highlanders’ interim technical advisor Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu was happy with the victory, Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe was disappointed with the defeat, which he blamed on poor defending.

“We really needed to win this game but football is like that. You can’t have it your way every time. The mistakes we made when we failed to deal with their counter attack led to us conceding the first goal and that mix-up between the goalie and defender killed our rhythm. Our transition was also not good and we’ve to work hard to win our next game. We’ll go and fight hard in the last game against Harare City,” said Sweswe.

Zulu said: “We wanted to kill the game in the first half because we knew that in the second half they were going to come at us strongly. The toll of playing three games in eight days got to our players in the second half but we’re happy with the result.”

With Buffaloes going down 1-2 to Triangle United at Gibbo Stadium, the result meant that Tsholotsho remained a place above the drop zone going into the last game next weekend. Buffaloes face Dynamos in Mutare while Tsholotsho will be at home against Harare City.

Tsholotsho desperately need a win to ensure their survival, but it won’t be easy because Harare City are chasing a top-eight finish and are aware that a loss to the Zhwane Boys will cost them a spot in the top half, in the event that Chapungu beat How Mine.

Buffaloes, who beat ZPC Kariba 2-1 in their last home match, will be hoping to claim the scalp of former champions Dynamos. DeMbare have nothing but pride to play for after losing the championship to Chicken Inn on Saturday.

Teams: Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Tendai Ngulube, Bruce Kangwa, Felix Chindungwe, Teenage Hadebe, Simon Munawa, Nqobizitha Masuku (Rahman Kutsanzira, 56th minute), King Nadolo, Valentine Ndaba (Godfrey Makaruse, 82nd minute), Ralph Matema (Obidiah Tarumbwa, 66th minute), Knox Mutizwa

Tsholotsho FC: Nickel Marichi, MacClive Phiri, Nkosilathi Moyo (Sizabantu Khoza, 77th minute), William Stima, Thandolwenkosi Ncube, Butholezwe Ncube, Ocient Ncube (Nixon Gama, 46th minute), Kriess Chitiyo (Tafadzwa Jaravani, 86th minute), Simbarashe Gorogodyo, Joel Luphahla, Lynnoth Chikuhwa