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HOW Mine striker Simba Sithole (left) tries to work his way past Highlanders captain Innocent Mapuranga in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Barboufields Stadium yesterday

Ricky Zililo, Sports Reporter
How Mine………………. (0) 1
Highlanders………………….0HOW Mine completed a league double over Bulawayo giants Highlanders in a city derby played at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

Former Highlanders midfielder Warren Dube punished his former paymasters with a 50th minute goal getting to the end of a Simba Sithole cross from the left before unleashing a volley that beat Bosso goal- minder Munyaradzi Diya at the near post.

The victory saw the miners move a place up the ladder to seventh with 31 points from 21 outings. It was also Philani “Beefy” Ncube’s first win as a coach against Highlanders.

An excited Ncube, who was assistant coach to Philani Mabhena in the reverse fixture earlier in the season in which How Mine beat Highlanders 2-1, said their strategy worked well against the former league champions who are third on the log with 37 points. Bosso trail log leaders Dynamos who won the Harare derby against Caps United 1-0 yesterday by four points.

“Tactically I think Highlanders were superior but our strategy which was to allow them to enjoy possession and catch them on counter attacks worked well. What they did not know is that Philani “Beefy” Ncube had other plans for them, they enjoyed that ball possession and my players were always behind the ball.

“I am happy that we picked maximum points against a big club and it’s a bonus for me that at last I have beaten Highlanders,” Ncube said.
How Mine were the first to make a meaningful attempt at goal and had their striker Sithole been more composed in the first minute, he could have given his side an early lead.

Dube threaded a pass to Sithole who did well to evade a challenge from Highlanders’ central defender Dumisani “Fazo” Ndlovu but with only Diya to beat, the How Mine striker shot  weakly into the hands of the Bosso goalkeeper. Two minutes later, it was Highlanders’ turn to miss a glorious scoring opportunity when striker Gabriel Nyoni shot wide with the goal yawning after being set through by an overlapping Bruce Kangwa from the left.

From then on, Bosso continued to enjoy a large share of possession with Mthulisi Maphosa, Peter “Rio” Moyo, Masimba Mambare, Simon Munawa and Bhekimpilo Ncube dominating the midfield battle.

Despite having control of the midfield, Highlanders midfielders failed to penetrate the home side’s defence which was ably marshalled by skipper Gilbert Banda and veteran Hebert Dick. This forced Bosso to resort to long range efforts which did not bother How Mine goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura.

In the 24th minute Mambare failed to direct his effort from the edge of the box at goal and shot to the stands. The How Mine coach pulled out ineffective Eddie Nkulungo in the 27th minute introducing Thembani Masuku and the move saw the miners neutralise Bosso’s midfield forays as the latter marked out Maphosa who engineered most of Highlanders’ moves.

Highlanders’ defender Lawson Nkomo’s long-range effort two minutes after the break missed the target by inches. Three minutes later, Highlanders lost possession in How Mine’s half before Menard Mupera sent a long pass to Sithole on the left and the Warriors’ striker left Innocent Mapuranga for dead before sending a cross to an unmarked Dube who had ghosted from the blindside.

Dube coolly brought down the ball and fired a ferocious shot that beat a hapless Diya at the near post to give How Mine the lead.
Bhekimpilo should have equalised for Highlanders in the 57th minute when he benefited from a Munawa pass and standing next to the penalty spot, he  shot into the stands.

Just after the hour mark, Mazarura was called to action when he punched away a well-taken free kick by Nkomo. Heritein Masuku who had replaced Bekhimpilo in the 63rd minute dispossessed Timothy January before sending a through pass to an unmarked Mambare who disappointed his team’s fans as he once again shot to the terraces.

In his post-match interview, Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu conceded the  defeat had dented their championship hopes.
“It’s unfortunate that we gave away three points and this has made even the title race tight. What is worrying is that the goal we conceded was our opponents’ only attempt at goal which shows that defensively we are not doing well. Going forward there is a need for us to start believing in ourselves,” said Kaindu.

He said that even his substitutions failed to make an impact with only Heritein seeming to be the one with the hunger to be more involved with the play.

Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube who replaced Maphosa in the 58th minute was very passive and so was Master Masitara who came on for Mambare in the 75th minute.

Teams

How Mine: Ephraim Mazarura, Hebert Dick (Nyasha Mukumbi, 76th minute), Gilbert Banda, Khumbulani Banda, Brighton Dube, Warren Dube, Timothy January, Menard Mupera, Xolisani Moyo (Qinani Sibanda, 53rd minute), Simba Sithole, Eddie Nkulungo (Thembani Masuku, 27th minute)
Highlanders: Munyaradzi Diya, Dumisani Ndlovu, Innocent Mapuranga, Bruce Kangwa, Simon Munawa, Mthulisi Maphosa (Njabulo Ncube, 58th minute), Masimba Mambare (Master Masitara, 75th minute), Bhekimpilo Ncube (Heritein Masuku, 63rd minute), Peter Moyo, Lawson Nkomo, Gabriel Nyoni