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Brandon Moyo,[email protected]

AN ‘ala David Beckham’ freekick by Andrew Mbeba was worthy to propel Highlanders FC to the top of the Castle Lager Premiership when they edged equally determined Triangle United at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.

Mbeba found the back of the net from a brilliant setpiece from the edge of the box in the second half to hand the home side maximum points.

It was the second consecutive match in which Bosso scored from set pieces after two in the 2-1 win over Caps United last Sunday.

The Bulawayo giants leapfrogged Ngezi Platinum Stars who shared the spoils with Sheasham. Bosso has now moved to 28 points on the standings.

Bosso controlled most of the proceedings from the first whistle, creating chances however they failed to convert in the first stanza.

The first real chance of the match came in the 16th minute from a Melikhaya Ncube shot that was cleared off the line by the Triangle defenders. The attack was the first of many from the home side that were yet to come as the game progressed.

Highlanders striker, Lynoth Chikuhwa came close to finding the net in the 19th minute with a header but the Triangle shotstopper, Matripples Muleya was equal to the task, tipping the effort over the bar.

At the halfway mark, there was nothing to write home about from the Triangle attack as the home side controlled the entire half despite failing to find the back of the net after creating a lot of chances.

Starting the second half, both sides made changes attempting to get the breakthrough. Triangle brought in Enock Karembo for Norbet Zingo while Bosso replaced Godfrey Makaruse with Archford Faira.

A moment of brilliance from Mbeba in the 61st minute was all it took to separate the two sides. Mbeba scored a brilliant curler from the edge of the box to hand Amahlolanyama the lead and eventually the maximum points in front of a buzzing Soweto.

The Mbeba goal proved to be a wakeup call for Triangle United who started their search for an equaliser. The Sugar Boys worked hard in search of the goal that would have levelled matters but it never came. Bosso held on to their thin lead as the visitors got to go home with nothing.

Bosso survived a last five minute onslaught with goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda made to save at point blank and another cleared off the line.

Teams:

Highlanders:

A Sibanda, L Chikuhwa (M Mushore 81st minute), R Lunga (S Ngala 57th minute), M Mushore, B Manhire, G Makaruse (A Faira 45), A Mbeba (A Tandi 81st minute), E Farasi (W Navaya 81st minute), P Muduhwa, M Ndlovu, M Ncube.

Triangle United:

M Muleya, J Mukombwe, C Musimwa, E Mafirenyika, A Makopa, J Nyabinde (R Madamombe 70th minute), T Kabanda (W Makuva 77th minute), N Zingo (E Karembo 45th minute), B Ngwenya, W Mensa ( M Hlabati 88th minute), N Rauzhi. – @brandon_malvin