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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
AILING Bulawayo soccer giants Highlanders heaved a big sigh of relief on Sunday after continuing with their dominance over relegation-threatened teams by dispatching Dongo Sawmill at Barbourfields Stadium.

It was Highlanders’ eighth victory of the season, six of which were against teams in the relegation zone below them and also making their maiden appearance in the topflight league.

The Bulawayo giants, who have been staring relegation for the better part of the season, have only managed to beat two teams that were in the PSL last season, Hwange and How Mine.

They have struggled against seasoned campaigners and were tipped for a big win against Dongo Sawmill, but they fluffed a number of glorious opportunities, including a first half penalty.

Highlanders should thank their decent first half dominance, a period in which they got their two goals from Obidiah Tarumbwa, who finished a 25th minute good move, and a Rahman Kutsanzira half-volley a minute before the break.

Even when Dongo Sawmill were down, they played some good possession football.

However, Highlanders’ technical advisor Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu wasn’t bothered about his team’s uninspiring second half show saying their mandate was to save Bosso from being relegated.

“I believe this was a good win for us because after ZPC Kariba’s 2-1 win against Caps United on Saturday, we had slipped to position 11 on the table and it really gave us a scare. We are back on position 10 and our mandate is to keep the team floating in the PSL. I’m happy that we managed to just grind the result and we will continue doing so. It doesn’t matter how results come because when we were appointed, our mandate was to save the club from going down,” said Zulu.

Highlanders are 10th with 31 points, six points above the drop zone and are left with tricky games against Chapungu (away), Buffaloes (home), Hwange (away), Tsholotsho FC (home) and ZPC Kariba (home).

Chapungu, who lost 0-1 to Hwange at the weekend, were the first to hand Bosso a home defeat in Week Five, beating Highlanders 1-0 at Emagumeni.

It will not be easy for Highlanders in the reverse fixture in Gweru in a fortnight.

Bosso drew with Buffaloes in Mutare and with the army side facing relegation, they are likely to give Highlanders a good run for their money when they visit Bulawayo. Buffaloes drew 1-1 with Tsholotsho FC at the weekend to keep the survival race wide open.

Hwange, who suffered a 0-1 defeat in the first leg, have declared war on Bosso saying they will bury the fading giants at the Colliery while Tsholotsho FC are tricky customers because of their position on the table.

ZPC Kariba, who beat Bosso 2-0 in the opening match of the season, are also in good form and could disappoint Highlanders.

In the title race, Chicken Inn played like true champions fighting to the last whistle and winning the match with the last touch of the game against How Mine.

The Gamecocks had to come from a goal down to beat the miners 2-1 courtesy of late goals from Edmore Chirambadare and Toto Banda.

How Mine, who arguably played their best game of the season so far, deserved victory or at least a point having taken an early lead through Thembani Masuku.

Chicken Inn’s win saw them maintain the four point lead over FC Platinum, who are on 48 points.

FC Platinum pummelled Whawha 3-0, a result that left the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services side’s survival chances next to none.

Harare City did Chicken Inn a favour as they held defending champions Dynamos to a 0-0 draw. DeMbare are now six points adrift of the log leaders, and with five matches left, they will have to rely on other teams to beat Chicken Inn if they are to claim a record fifth title.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas praised his boys for fighting to the wire and said the title race is still open.

“It’s still anyone’s game but my boys showed great mental strength. It’s a positive attitude and never-say-die spirit that gets us through,” said Antipas.