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Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
Chapungu 1-1 Highlanders
BULAWAYO giants Highlanders inched to safety by a point after holding Chapungu in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Ascot Stadium in Gweru yesterday.

Philip Marufu gave Chapungu the lead in the 36th minute and the country’s leading goal scorer Knox Mutizwa equalised through a penalty two minutes before the breather.

The result meant “Waru Waru” has collected four points from Bosso after beating the Bulawayo giants 1-0 in the reverse fixture at Barbourfields Stadium earlier in the season.

After an uninspiring opening 30 minutes when both sides failed to string meaningful passes and resorted to long balls due to the bumpy Ascot turf, the match sprung into life when Hillary Mugoniwa flighted a corner kick that was partially cleared by Honest Moyo in the 36th minute.

The clearance fell to Mugoniwa, who fed Nhlanhla Ncube to lay the ball onto the path of an unmarked Marufu, who responded by rifling home past a diving Ariel Sibanda in goals for Bosso.

Twin centrebacks Erick Mudzingwa and Moyo should shoulder the blame for giving Marufu acres of space inside the box to control the ball and shoot.

Highlanders upped the tempo after conceding the goal and started to dictate the pace. The diminutive Mutizwa was hacked down in the box by William Ngonya in the 43rd minute following a lot of pressure and referee Pedzisai Chadya did not hesitate pointing to the spot.

Mutizwa, who missed a penalty at the same venue when Bosso lost to Whawha last month, dusted himself and sent Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi the wrong way to take his goal tally to 12.

The second half produced some exciting football as both sides sought the vital three points.

Ngonya could have restored the home team’s lead in the 47th minute but his pile driver from just outside the box was parried to safety by Sibanda.

Marufu’s free-kick from outside the box also missed the mark by inches a few moments later.

Sensing danger, the Bosso technical bench pulled out the struggling Ralph Mathema and brought in attacking linkman King Nadolo in the 62nd minute.

Nadolo brought stability to the Bosso midfield and won most loose balls as Highlanders began to create meaningful chances. They were, however, thwarted by an uncompromising Mazingi on numerous occasions.

Mutizwa thought he had put Bosso ahead in the 74th minute after being fed by Obadiah Tarumbwa, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

The disallowed goal incensed the Highlanders’ fans, who reacted by throwing missiles onto the pitch, prompting a six-minute stoppage as anti-riot police restored order.

Bosso continued to pile pressure and Nadolo forced Mazingi into another good save in the 83rd minute. Mazingi was again called into action when he tipped Rahman Kutsanzira’s goal-bound volley over the bar for a corner.

After absorbing the pressure, Chapungu could have snatched the winner deep into stoppage time when Allen Tavarwisa did well to beat his marker inside the box to set up Mhlanga, who unfortunately turned and shot agonisingly wide.

Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino was satisfied with the result, saying the point from the game would cement their place in the top eight.

“I would like to thank my charges for a splendid performance considering Highlanders’ position on the log. I knew it was going to be a tough match and it’s unfortunate that we conceded a penalty because I think we should have won the match. I’m happy we’re still in the top eight,” said Nyikadzino.

Bosso technical adviser Cosmas “Tsano” Zulu was equally satisfied with a point, but bemoaned the absence of the defensive duo of Felix Chindungwe and Teenage Hadebe, which he said unsettled his rearguard.

“We could have actually collected three points because our preparations were a bit false considering we had four guys in the national team and so we didn’t prepare the way we wanted,” said Zulu.

He said his defenders were a bit shaky because Chindungwe and Hadebe were injured.

Teams

Chapungu: R Mazingi, C Mativenga, B Mbavarira,B Zabula, W Ngonya, C Kwaramba (B Zabula 65 min)N Ncube (X Ncube 57 min), G Phiri, P Marufu, P Khumbula (R Mhlanga 65 min), A Tavarwisa

Highlanders: A Sibanda, R Kutsanzira, O Tarumbwa, B Kangwa, N Masuku (S Munwa 74 min), K Mutizwa, H Moyo, E Mudzingwa, V Ndaba (G Makaruse 77 min), P Mudhuhwa, R Mathema (K Nadolo 62 min).