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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
Highlanders 2-3 Chicken Inn

HIGHLANDERS coach Bongani Mafu came short of accusing his players of sabotaging him in the 2-3 loss to championship favourites Chicken Inn at Barbourfields yesterday after describing yesterday’s loss as a shocker.

He also said they conceded three soft goals, a statement that can be interpreted as an attack on his goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.

Crestfallen Highlanders, who had strange bed- fellows after Dynamos fans rallied behind them, fell to a 24th minute goal by Bhekimpilo Ncube and a brace by slippery Michelle Katsvairo in the 51st and 91st minutes.

“We gave away three soft goals. It’s not possible to concede such goals. It’s a shocker,” said Mafu in his post-match interview.

The match kicked off on a low note with both teams failing to string clear cut passes as they applied a similar diamond system of play.

Joe Antipas’ side however had a slight edge over their once mighty and intimidating opponents who slipped from eighth on the table to 10th following wins by Chapungu and Hwange.

It was through one of their attacks that the opening goal came. Brian Mbiriri delivered a cross that the Highlanders defence failed to clear, allowing the gangly Ncube to ghost in from the blind side and slot the ball in.

Amahlolanyama, however, took just two minutes to respond with King Nadolo’s 26th minute beauty.

He received a neat pass from skipper Obidiah Tarumbwa, got inside the box and let loose a shot that hit the roof of the nets with Elvis Chipezeze, the Chicken Inn goalkeeper, diving in vain.

It was Nadolo’s first goal for Highlanders in open play and he celebrated with a summersault.

After the equaliser, the match again went into a lull until referee Nduna Nkosana blew for halftime.

The second half was livelier. In the 48th minute, Tarumbwa, who has been in fine form since Mafu criticised him in the 1-1 draw against Dynamos, shrugged off a lame challenge from Lawrence Mhlanga, turned around and shot at goal but Chipezeze saved.

Two minutes later, the Gamecocks had a penalty appeal turned away after 2006 Soccer Star of the Year, Clemence Matawu fell down under challenge from a Highlanders defender inside the box.

Chicken Inn went ahead in the 51st minute through Katsvairo after finding himself unmarked just outside the 18-yard box. The former FC Platinum player had all the time to prepare and let go a shot that beat Ariel Sibanda, after making his first start in two months.

In the 55th minute, Edmore Chirambadare cursed himself after lofting his effort following a nice one-two with George Majika who had come in for Tafadzwa Kutinyu.

Bosso were back on level terms in the 73rd minute, albeit in controversial way after Bruce Kangwa took advantage to slot the ball. He went for the challenge with his studs open but Nkosana allowed the goal to stand, despite protests from the Chicken Inn bench.

With the match seemingly headed for a stalemate, Katsvairo completed his brace although Ariel must shoulder some blame for the goal.

Danny Phiri delivered a free kick from outside the box and Ariel spilled it, resulting in an alert Katsvairo scoring the rebound.

It ended 3-2 in favour of Chicken Inn, much to the chagrin of Highlanders fans who started calling for the sacking of Mafu. Others called on the Uefa B coaching badge holder to step down.

The loss is Bosso’s third on the trot following back to back 1-2 and 0-1 losses to FC Platinum and Whawha last week.

 

Teams

Highlanders: A Sibanda, E Mudzingwa, F Chindungwe, T Hadebe, D Sibanda, B Kangwa, N Masuku, P Muduhwa, G Nyoni (T Simango 86th min), K Nadolo, O Tarumbwa

Unused subs: S Munawa, B Ncube, G Makaruse, H Moyo, N Nyoni

Chicken Inn: E Chipezeze, B Mbiriri, L Mhlanga, B Passmore (I Lawe 81st min), B Ncube (T Goredema 81st), C Matawu, M Jackson, T Kutinyu (G Majika 46th min), D Phiri, E Chirambadare, M Katsvairo

Unused subs: G Goddard, C Nkomo, P Zendera, T Chimenya.

Castle Lager PSL Matchday 21 Results

Saturday: ZPC Kariba 2-1 Whawha

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