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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
Highlanders 1-1 Chicken Inn
(Highlanders won 4-2 after penalty shootouts)
A strong performance by goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda enabled Highlanders to progress to the semi-finals of the ZNA Charities Shield after beating a tactically superior Chicken Inn during a penalty shootout at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday. Sibanda was the hero of the spot kicks after saving from Guide Goddard and Physwell Madhazi, while Highlanders banged in all their four penalties.

Bosso, who struggled in the first half of regulation time, scored their spot kicks through Bruce Kangwa, Knox Mutizwa, Rahman Kutsanzira and Erick Mudzingwa.

Kangwa had brought Bosso back into the game with a 74th minute right-footed volley from inside the box after intercepting a goal-bound Tendai Ngulube effort. The goal cancelled a 45th minute Obidiah Tarumbwa opener, which he scored after dispossessing an otherwise impressive Felix Chindungwe.

Tarumbwa, who donned the Highlanders’ jersey last season, did not celebrate his goal, but just picked the ball from the back of the net and took it to the centre.

Coach Erol Akbay, while happy with the win, felt his boys did not come to the party in the first half.

“There was a zeal to win in the second half than the first and I think we need to work on that. The team isn’t yet ready, but it’s promising,” he said after the game.

To the surprise of many, the Dutchman fielded a team of veterans in his trusted 3-4-3 formation, relegating promising youngsters. When asked about the rationale behind the move, he said the young players still had to go through a learning phase.

“We can’t have the youngsters in the starting line up for such a game, they still need to understand and adapt to our playing style, but they’ll come through,” said Akbay.

Bosso take on their old nemesis Dynamos in the first leg of the Bob 92 Zifa Cup final at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Chicken Inn, whose head coach Joe Antipas was absent due to an eye infection, missed the services of Lawrence Mhlanga in central defence that saw assistant coach Prince Matore fielding Goddard and Ben Nyaunzwi.

Moses Jackson, who usually partners Mhlanga, was deployed to the right with the impressive Devine Lunga taking care of business on the left side of defence.

Skipper Danny Phiri was rested, but his replacement Thabani Goredema fitted well in the holding midfield position.