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Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
Highlanders FC 4-1 Shabanie Mine FC
HIGHLANDERS FC put back smiles on the faces of their multitude of fans with a convincing win over visiting Shabanie Mine at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya broke the Highlanders goal duck with two goals from the penalty spot in the eighth and 42nd minutes. Knox Mutizwa scored Bosso’s third with Milton Ncube scoring a gem in the fourth minute of the referee’s optional time. The visitors pulled one back through Louis Matawu in the 63rd minute.

Highlanders were coming from a goalless draw against Chapungu in their opening match of the season. Without fielding a natural striker in attack instead opting to partner left footed forwards Milton Ncube and Charles Sibanda, Highlanders did not inspire much confidence as they walked into the pitch for their first Castle Lager Premiership match at home.

They were thrust into the lead in the eighth minute by Diya after Shabanie centreback Smart Muchabaiwa handled a Milton Ncube cross in the box. The Highlanders goalkeeper sent his opposite number Victor Twaliki the wrong way with a well taken spotkick awarded by impressive Bekezela Makeka who with his assistants Salani Ncube and Tione Kacheche made a good start to the season at Barbourfields.

In the 26th minute, Knox Mutizwa who had a good first half, found Mthulisi Maphosa 30 metres out who obliged with a rasping shot which Twaliki dived full strength for a clean catch. It was a quality strike matched by a top of the drawer save by the imposing visitors’ goalkeeper.

On 34 minutes, a long clearance by Diya fell onto the path of Ncube who shrugged off a Shabanie defender before the Highlanders striker tried to lob it over the advancing Twaliki. The goalkeeper’s agility and height came to Shabanie’s rescue to keep the scoreline 1-0.

Five minutes later, young Mutizwa who was enjoying a fine run on the right wing, saw his beautiful low cross fluffed by his teammates with Ncube off his balance literally defending the ball as it hit his leg.

Twaliki was to keep Shabanie in the game with a fine save off a good shot by Sibanda in the 40th minute.
The Shabanie Mine goalkeeper was called to duty a minute later this time saving a header from 8 metres by Ncube who had been set up by Mutizwa on the right.
Mutizwa’s industry on the right paid dividends in the 42nd minute when he got the better of Rodney Mware in the box and released Ncube.

But Ncube appeared flat footed and not ready for the pass and he was eventually brought down by Hardlife Mavundi leaving Makeka with no option but to punish with the only option available – a spotkick. Diya registered himself as his team’s leading goalscorer with his second of the match to give Bosso a 2-0 halftime lead.

Highlanders had a dominant first half performance with Maphosa and Erick Mudzingwa in imperious form in defensive link roles with Mutizwa and Kudakwashe Mahachi terrorising the visiting team’s rearguard and midfield.

Shabanie rarely troubled Highlanders in the first half and except for the two penalty kicks, Diya had a boring first 45 minutes.
Matawu, Mavundi and Talbert Mthombeni tried their best in midfield but could not match Highlanders’ superiority.

The offensive Highlanders could feel denied a third penalty after Mavundi clutched the goal in a manner some goalkeepers would envy in the 51st minute after some roasting by Mutizwa. However Makeka felt it was not intentional handling and allowed the game to flow.

For the next seven minutes Highlanders were pinned in their own half.
In a swift counter attack on the left Ncube ran with the ball for about 30m before sending a pin point cross to the far post which was met with chilling accuracy by Mutizwa who made it 3-0 in the 58th minute.

Carlos Mesi forced a close save from Diya and in the ensuing goalmouth melee, Simon Munawa, who did not have a good game on the right back position, intelligently played it out for a corner. There was real danger as Shabanie Mine besieged the Bosso goal.

Busy as a bee stocky Shabanie striker Allan Tavarwisa in the 63rd minute used his body to check Mudzingwa and laid a beauty that was struck first time to Diya’s left. The Highlanders two-goal hero dived full length and parried the scorcher into his own net allowing Shabanie to pull one back.

Tavarwisa saw his good pass poorly anticipated by Ashley Kwenja with Munawa sleeping on duty on the blind side.
Bosso saw Kangwa blast his effort to the terraces in the 90th minute after a good build up on the left involving three players.

Ncube made up for his first half misses by finding the target with a firm harder on the blind side to the near post after a good corner kick by Mahachi.
Highlanders had a poor second half with Shabanie pouring forward in a bid to reduce the arrears. Being a newly assembled side, patience could just be what the asbestos miners need before the team gels in well.

Highlanders coach Mark Mathe was happy with the goal harvest after they struggled to score during the opening match and pre-season friendly games.
“It was a good outing for us, the goals were illusive in the opening game and pre-season friendlies, we hope to build from here,” said Mathe.

He bemoaned lack of concentration in the second half which saw them play second best to Shabanie Mine.
“We lacked concentration in the second half and we failed to press and our recovery was bad,” said Mathe.

Shabanie Mine gaffer John Phiri said they were outplayed by Bosso.
“We were outplayed, but the first two goals were give away penalties. I told my boys at half time that they had nothing to lose so they upped their tempo in the second half,” said Phiri.

Teams:
Highlanders: Munyaradzi Diya, Simon Munawa, Bruce Kangwa, Innocent Mapuranga, Dumisani Ndlovu, Mthulisi Maphosa, Erick Mudzingwa, Knox Mutizwa ( Rahman Kutsanzira 59th minute), Milton Ncube, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Charles Sibanda (Gabriel Nyoni 59th minute, (Welcome Ndiweni 76th minute)

Shabanie Mine: Victor Twaliki, Nelson Merson, Smart Muchabaiwa, Rodney Mware, Godknows Murwira, Hardlife Mavundi, Zvikomborero Bizeki (Xolani Ncube 27minute), Louis Matawu, Tolbert Mthombeni (Daniel Chakupe 83rd minute), Allan Tavarwisa, Carlso Mesi (Ashley Mukwenja 67th minute)
Officials: Bekezela Makeka, Tione Kacheche, Salani Ncube
Estimated attendance 6,000.