Simba Bhora . . . . . . . 0
Highlanders . . . . . . . 0
Pressure is beginning to mount on Highlanders' new coach Benjani Mwaruwari after his side was held to a goalless draw by Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi Stadium yesterday—his fourth consecutive stalemate since taking the reins at the Bulawayo giants.
After splitting points with Bulawayo Chiefs, MWOS, and Dynamos in the opening three matches of the season, Bosso supporters expected to finally win yesterday.
Instead, Highlanders looked flat, uninspired, and dangerously bereft of ideas.
While the fans at Barbourfields lastWednesday made their feelings known, with some hailing missiles at the coach, the atmosphere in Shamva was one of quiet, simmering frustration.
Despite the mounting noise, the former Warriors skipper and Manchester City striker maintained a defiant, almost breezy, composure at the final whistle.
"Not at all [feeling the pressure], especially when my boys are playing so well," Mwaruwari said. "The only thing is that we're not scoring enough to get maximum points. But for me, everything is positive. As a team, we have some areas that we need to correct, like moving the ball quicker... Once we are sorted in that area, we will be good."
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While Mwaruwari insisted his side "performed so well," the reality on the pitch told a story of huffing, puffing, and very little house-blowing.
Across the technical area, Mandla Mpofu was nursing his own brand of home-turf headache.
The former Highlanders coach has turned Simba Bhora into good travellers with wins at Triangle and TelOne, yet he remains winless at Wadzanayi.
Despite keeping a phenomenal four clean sheets in four outings, Mpofu was not in the mood to celebrate a point.
"It’s two points lost," Mpofu lamented.
"As much as we were supposed to take advantage, especially playing at home, to collect all the points... one worry that I have as a coach is that this is my second game at home and we haven't collected three points. But if you look overall, it's not going to be an easy league. This point could be precious going forward."
The match itself was a cagey affair where goalkeepers played the starring roles.
Simba Bhora’s Namibian contingent—Tevin Naweseb and Alferus Leevi—both found themselves with the goal at their mercy, only to fire directly at the alert keeper Reward Muza.
Highlanders’ best openings fell to Benjamin Adeogun and Never Rauzhi, but the final ball remained as elusive as a win for the visitors.
The second half brought a cruel twist of fate for Simba Bhora’s debutant, John Samaneka.
The Namibian international was introduced at the break and nearly became an instant hero, only to see his goal-bound effort smothered by Muza.
His debut lasted a heartbreaking 25 minutes before he was carried off with a suspected hamstring tear.
Despite a late flurry from the home side, including a spectacular save by Muza to deny Never Tigere, neither side could find the decisive blow.
For Mwaruwari, the clock is ticking to turn "positive play" into three points before the Barbourfields crowd loses its patience entirely.
Teams
Simba Bhora: W Thole, L Chaziya, W Tafa, N Tsabora, T Chipunza, B Ncube, I Nyanhi, N Tigere (K Eib, 84'), T Naweseb (J Samaneka, 46', T Mandinyenya, 70'), C Mukumbira (C Mapoka, 84'), A Leevi (A Silla, 46').
Highlanders: R Muza, L Mhlanga (D Mukuli, 70'), N Chinyerere, A Mbeba (K Mvelo, 70'), M Tshuma, S Mhlanga, R Pavari, T Shenje, P Ndlovu (K Mahachi, 46'), N Rauzhi, B Adeogun (B Ncube, 84')
Results
CAPS United 2-0 Hardrock
FC Platinum 2-2 Telone
Chicken Inn 0-0 Ngezi Platinum
