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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
Highlanders 1-1 Triangle United
HIGHLANDERS coach Bongani Mafu must be a very brave man to still insist that his boys remain in contention for the Premiership title despite collecting only three points from their last four games.

Bosso fans came to Barbourfields Stadium in their numbers yesterday afternoon hoping for a win over Triangle after a good performance against Dynamos last week, but instead they watched their team scrape a lucky point with Knox Mutizwa’s 54th minute strike saving them from what would have been an embarrassing defeat to the 10-men visitors.

Pasca Manhanga had given Triangle the lead in the 7th minute.

Highlanders are just five points above the drop zone on 20 points and trail log leaders Chicken Inn by nine points.

The fading Bulawayo giants’ performance yesterday did nothing to answer any of the questions people have about the team. It probably raised more questions and right now Mafu looks like a coach without any of the answers.

However, Mafu was adamant that he could still turn around Bosso’s fortunes in the second half of the season and finish strongly with the title chasing pack.

“Well, I play in the Premier League and at the end of it there’s a championship. Yes, I’m playing for that championship. I play in the Premiership to win matches and win the championship,” said Mafu.

“I want to win the games. Chicken Inn won most games in the first half playing in Bulawayo and we were playing away. We’re halfway and still got lots of improvements to make, especially at Barbourfields,” he said.

Yesterday’s performance made a mockery of Mafu’s confidence as his team struggled to reach second gear, losing possession in dangerous positions.

Triangle were dealt a huge early blow in the 22nd minute after their captain Charles Rukwanhi was shown a second yellow card by referee Hardly Ndazi for wearing different colour tights.

Rukwanhi was wearing black tights under his red short in violation of the rules, which stipulate that the colour must be the same.

He had earlier been shown a yellow card for a dangerous double-footed challenge on King Nadolo in the 20th minute just outside the box.

Before Bosso could take the free kick, Ndazi noticed that the Triangle skipper was wearing a black tight under his red short and gave the defender his second yellow card.

The visitors protested in vain.

Triangle started the sharper side and Manhanga punished his former paymasters by ghosting in to connect a good cross from Brian Juwayeyi, beating the diving Bosso keeper Njabulo Nyoni.

Nyoni was given a rare start in goals after Mafu subtly indicated in mid-week that he had lost faith in his regular goalie Ariel Sibanda.

Sibanda has leaked 12 goals in 13 matches this season.

Highlanders simply failed to work their way back into the game as the visitors enjoyed more possession and exhibited some entertaining football, with Hillary Bakacheza causing havoc to the Bosso defence.

Although Bosso briefly woke up after Triangle’s setback, they struggled to finish the chances they did create for much of the afternoon and were in real danger of being shut out for the rest of the game before Mutizwa came to the rescue, pouncing on a deflected shot.

It was Mutizwa’s sixth goal in five consecutive starts for the fallen giants.

Rahman Kutsanzira won possession on the left side and passed to Obidiah Tarumbwa, who laid the ball onto the path of Nadolo, whose goal-bound shot deflected off a Triangle defender and fell on Mutizwa’s way. There was nothing Triangle’s goalie Ashley Reyners could have done to stop Mutizwa’s effort.

Mutizwa and Honest Moyo were, however, both guilty of fluffing free headers towards the end of the match.

In the 79th minute, Mutizwa and Nadolo got into each other’s way in a bid to connect a Kutsanzira cross, leaving Reyners with the easy task of collecting the loose ball.

Mafu lamented the missed chances.

“It’s a game that we could’ve won. We created more opportunities but missed. I think in the second half we played a good passing game and used our numerical advantage. I’m glad that today we didn’t lose but I think games like this should be won. Remember Triangle is a team that has been playing very well, so let’s count our blessings. A point against a good team is something you should be happy with,” Mafu said.

Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu said the red card affected their game plan.

“A point away is alright, but we had planned for a win. Unfortunately the game was spoiled. I’m one person who doesn’t like to comment on referees. The red card disturbed our rhythm. We’re going to plan for the return leg and believe you me; at home we’re very offensive,” said Kaindu.

 

Teams

Highlanders: Njabulo Nyoni, Webster Chingodza, Bruce Kangwa, Erick Mudzingwa, Honest Moyo, Simon Munawa, Rahman Kutsanzira (Valentine Ndaba, 83rd minute), King Nadolo, Edmore Muzanenhamo (Welcome Ndiweni, 70th minute), Obidiah Tarumbwa, Knox Mutizwa.

Triangle United: Ashley Reyners, Praise Tonha, Meson Nelson, Ephraim Mwinga, Charles Rukwanhi, Tichaona Chipunza, Marvellous Mukumba (Jimmy Tigere, 46th minute), Pasca Manhanga, Hillary Bakacheza, Brian Juwayeyi (Cabby Kamhapa, 69th minute), Courage Denias (Felix Kuswatuka, 60th minute).

Results

Saturday: ZPC Kariba 0-1 Tsholotsho FC, Flame Lily 0-0 Harare City, Chapungu 0-0 FC Platinum

Yesterday: Caps United 2-0 Chicken Inn, Dongo Sawmill 1-0 Whawha, Hwange 1-1 Dynamos, Highlanders 1-1 Triangle United, Buffaloes 1-1 How Mine

Table

P W D L F A GD Pts

*Chicken Inn 14 9 2 3 21 10 10 29

Triangle United 15 8 4 3 31 12 19 28

Dynamos 15 7 6 2 15 10 5 27

How Mine 15 7 5 3 22 13 9 26

Caps United 15 6 6 3 12 12 0 24

Chapungu 15 6 5 4 13 11 2 23

FC Platinum 15 6 4 5 27 17 10 22

Harare City 15 5 7 3 16 11 5 22

Highlanders 15 5 5 5 16 14 2 20

Buffaloes 15 3 7 5 13 22 -9 16

ZPC Kariba 15 3 6 6 20 22 -2 15

Hwange 15 2 8 4 14 17 -3 15

Tsholotsho FC 15 3 5 7 7 14 -7 14

Flame Lily 15 2 6 7 8 17 -9 12

Whawha 15 3 3 9 8 29 -21 12

*Dongo Sawmills 14 2 4 8 9 20 -11 10

*Match abandoned