Zimpapers Logo

From Ray Bande in Rusape
Dongo Sawmills 0-1 Highlanders
HIGHLANDERS’ coach Bongani Mafu was visibly relieved after watching his team labour to a narrow away win against newboys Dongo Sawmills in a Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at Vengere Stadium yesterday. Highlanders were without a shot at goal in the first 20 minutes of the match while Dongo Sawmills started off on the offensive, piling pressure on the visitors and literally camping in the visitors half but somehow their strikers lacked precision in front of goal.

Judging by Bosso’s performance, Mafu still has a lot of homework to do and the learned gaffer cannot really draw much comfort from yesterday’s “lucky” goal that, however, earned his team the much-needed maximum points.

Dongo’s Martin Nyazira almost put his name on the scoresheet in the 14th minute when he got to the end of a tantalising cross from Dion Countinho but alert Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda punched the ball to safety.

In the 19th minute, dreadlocked defender Felix Chindugwe received a yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Dongo striker Physwell Madhazi.

However, unmarked Nqobizitha Masuku propelled Highlanders into the lead when he headed home a cross from the right as he took advantage of the ball watching Dongo defenders.

Highlanders almost doubled their lead in the 39th minute when Simon Munawa worked his way past Countinho and Last Jasi but his hard-and-low cross found no takers in the box.

For the greater part of the second half, the visitors dominated play, especially in the middle of the park where Dongo were missing the dependable midfield duo of Dereck Chitsanzira and Khumbulani Katandika, who were both on suspension.

Bosso could have extended their lead in the 75th minute but striker Gabriel Nyoni made a mess of Masuku’s cross when he blasted his effort over the crossbar from close range.

Though elated by the result, Mafu refused to talk to the media, opting to delegate his assistant Mandla Mpofu who praised the players for playing according to instructions.

“As you know after the defeat to Chapungu at home last week pressure was mounting and this away win couldn’t have come at a better time. Playing in a pitch that’s bumpy, I think the boys showed character and the performance was commendable,” said Mpofu.

Dongo Sawmills coach Shadreck “Father” Mugurasave, who painfully watched his side slump to their fourth defeat of the season, said he was happy with their overall performance although they conceded a silly goal.

“We’re playing well but somehow we continue conceding silly goals. This is the fourth time that we’ve lost after conceding silly goals. The sad thing is that we’re losing by the same margin. Just like any other coach I would have loved to win but I’m happy with the fighting spirit that we’ve though results aren’t coming as we would have loved,” he said.

Dongo have lost home matches to How Mine, Triangle and now Highlanders.

Teams
Dongo Sawmills: T Mberi, M Tapatapa; K Njovo (D Maneya 80th minute); K Chideu; E Chikwaikwai; T Mapungwana; S Sithole (L Masibera 49th minute)); L Jasi; D Countinho; P Madhazi; M Nyazira.

Highlanders: A Sibanda; W Chingodza; T Hadebe; S Munawa; T Chideu (S Sithole 52nd minute); B Kangwa; N Masuku; F Chindungwe; O Zibande (E Muzanenhamo 95th minute); V Ndaba; G Nyoni