BY FORTUNE MBELE
Highlanders… (0) 1 Black Rhinos…… 0
TINASHE Makanda rose from the bench to score the solitary goal which handed Highlanders their second win inside four days as they beat a determined Black Rhinos in a match that could have gone either way at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Highlanders survived an onslaught from the army side and as they piled pressure on Black Rhinos, Makanda blasted the ball past goalkeeper Ashley Rayners on the near post from point- blank range in a goalmouth melee.
The build-up involved defender Peter Muduhwa and Makanda shot first time after Prince Dube’s effort bounced off Rhinos’ defenders.
It was exactly five minutes after Makanda replaced an ineffective Brian Banda and the striker was cautioned for removing his jersey in celebration.
Yesterday’s win took Bosso’s unbeaten run in the league to six matches since their 1-0 loss against Yadah in June and leaves them on 23 points from 17 games.
Highlanders coach Mandla Mpofu was delighted with the result.
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“Six points in four days and as a coach I am very happy. It was a better performance today, better ball management. “We made a tactical change when we brought in Makanda and dropped Prince to midfield where he played very well,” Mpofu said.
Black Rhinos also had their chances with skipper Wellington Taderera having a good game playing behind the strikers, but was let down by Francis Zekumbawire upfront.
The army side’s coach Herbert Maruwa, who missed out on a chance to go atop on the log table had he won against Highlanders, rued chances missed by his boys.
“It was a good game for both sides and we went to sleep for a second. We missed our chances and failed to contain Prince in the midfield,” Maruwa said.
Teams:
Highlanders: A Sibanda, A Mbeba, M Sibanda, T Ndlovu, P Muduhwa, N Masuku, R Lunga (M Phiri 45+1′), B Banda (T Makanda 62′), P Dube, B Sibanda (A Silla 77′), D Mhindirira
Black Rhinos: A Rayners, T Jaravani, J Mukombwe, F Banda, E Chigiji, G Saunyama, W Taderera, F Zekumbawira (M Demera 61′), L Murape (A Mutudza 71′), W Kapinda (W Mutasa 69′), B Homora
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League results and fixtures:
Today: Highlanders 1-0 Black Rhinos; Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 Chapungu; Yadah 0-0 Hwange; ZPC Kariba 2-1 Chicken Inn; Tel One 1-1 Herentals
Today: Dynamos v Mushowani Stars (Rufaro); Manica Diamonds v CAPS United (Vengere) — postponed
Wednesday: FC Platinum v Harare City (Mandava); Ngezi Platinum Stars v Triangle United (Baobab)
