Highlanders………......(1)1
Manica Diamnonds…(0) 1
HIGHLANDERS head coach Pieter De Jongh was left fuming at his charges after they were held to a one-all draw by Manica Diamonds in a crucial Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
Bosso were wasteful in front of goal and were left to rue the chances they got throughout the match.
After they broke the deadlock in the 31st minute through Melikhaya Ncube, the Gems Boys equalised through second half substitute Evans Katema in the 65th minute. Katema had only been on the field for five minutes when he struck home from close range.
Katema scored a goal, which should have been an easy take for the experienced Ariel Sibanda.
Ncube, in the first half, had tapped home a brilliant cross from Andrew Mbeba to give the hosts the lead.
At the stroke of full time, Reason Sibanda, with an empty net only to beat, shot over the bar much to the anguish of the Dutch gaffer.
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“It’s a disappointing result because we controlled 80-85 minutes of the game,” De Jongh said.
“We led 1-0, created chances, but the second goal did not come.
“But, one moment, a mistake from the keeper and then it’s 1-1. We are now on 38. We dropped two points, and it was a crucial point to Manica Diamonds.
“There was one team that played football, dominated and created chances.
“There was a chance for Reason, and he failed to score a goal. There are no excuses.”
His opposite number, Tafadzwa Mashiri was happy with the point as it aides their chances of survival. He said their strategy worked perfectly well.
“I think we played according to the game plan. We said we needed to restrict them,” Mashiri said.
“Highlanders have massive, cheerful fans, and I told my guys to guard against that — and they did just that.”
The two sides, alongside Chicken Inn, are now on 38 points with one game to go in the league.
Highlanders enjoyed most of the possession in the first half, creating numerous chances although they could not burry them..
They had the chance of the match in the 10th minute when Never Rauzhi was found by Archford Faira, but could not control his effort to the right direction.
Just two minutes later, Sibanda was brought into action when he denied Kudzanai Dhemere from close range, forcing a corner kick.
The attacking midfielder had received a brilliant through ball from Charles Teguru.
In the 36th minute, Anelka Chivandire attempted a curler from the edge of the Bosso but his effort went wide.
The second half, however, was a different story with the Gem Boys seeing most of the ball as their changes proved crucial.
Still trailing 1-0 at the time, Manica Diamonds came close to leveling matters when Tinotenda Musariranwa received an ariel ball. Unmarked in the box, a free header, he headed over the bar.
Moments later, Benjamin Adeogun came close to doubling Bosso’s lead with a curling effort from outside the box, which went just wide.
Three minutes before the hour mark, Rauzhi received a brilliant defence splitting pass from Ncube, and with the keeper left to beat, he shot wide.
The Manica Diamonds shot stopper Geoffrey Chitsumba played a pivotal role in the 76th minute when a brilliant double save denied Tendai Muvuti and Mbeba.
He first punched a Muvuti shot from outside the box before dealing with a Mbeba volley, a rebound, which he also punched away for a corner kick.
The last real chance was Sibanda’s massive miss.
Teams:
Highlanders:
- Sibanda (gk), A. Ndlovu, B. Mlothswa, M. Ncube, T. Muvuti (B. Ncube, 79mins), A. Mbeba, N. Rauzhi (R. Sibanda, 81mins), A. Faira (A. Nyondo, 46mins), L. Mutumbi, B. Adeogun, L. Muyambo (D. Munkuli, 86 mins).
Manica Diamonds:
- Chitsumba (gk), C. Teguru, L. Masibera, F. Banda, A. Rupande, J. Takunda, C. Dzingai (S. Ndlovu, 60mins), B. Amidu (E. Paga, 60mins), K. Dhemere, A. Chivandire (E. Katema, 60mins), T. Musariranwa (R. Pavari, 79mins).
