HIGHLANDERS. . . . . . (0)0
MWOS. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 1
A RESERVED MWOS took it to the last minute to earn three points from Highlanders in an exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Substitute Salif Cheya scored a minute before the final whistle to earn maximum points for MWOS and bounce back to the top of the log standings.
The victory means that MWOS have completed a double over Highlanders after beating the Harare giants in their season opener.
Coach Lloyd Mutasa remains grounded even after his first defeat to Ngezi Platinum Stars last weekend.
"The boys persevered from the onset to the end, and an element of belief in themselves after the setback [against Ngezi]. I am still aiming to survive relegation. Playing Highlanders is always very difficult; we were fortunate," Mutasa said.
Highlanders coach, Try Ncube, was disappointed after the match.
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"I am very disappointed, especially after dominating the match," Ncube said.
It's the third game that Bosso have lost at BF, after losses to Herentals and Simba Bhora.
Highlanders had a chance in the 13th minute after right-back Mvelo Khoza let off a blistering shot from a rebound, but watched his effort sail over the crossbar as the Bulawayo giants dominated play in the first minutes of the game.
Khoza sent in a beautiful cross five minutes later, but Hubert Ncube’s bicycle kick inside the penalty area also missed the target.
At the half-hour mark, Tendai Muvuti roasted two MWOS defenders on the right flank, and his speculative shot from a narrow angle was safely collected by goalkeeper Francis Tizayi as Highlanders continued on the offensive.
The first half belonged to Highlanders, but they missed several opportunities, with MWOS defending for the entire half.
Substitute Cheya could have put the visitors in the lead in the 64th minute from inside the box, but his effort found an alert Highlanders goalkeeper, Reward Muza, equal to the task, the first scoring opportunity for MWOS.
Marvin Sibanda, who came in for Muvuti in the second half, got a chance in the 69th minute, face to face with Tizayi, only to send his effort way over the bar.
Brighton Ncube, another substitute, missed a glorious opportunity in the 73rd minute, with a header inside the box, which went wide.
The match was watched by Warriors coach Michael Nees, accompanied by Zifa vice-president Kennedy Ndebele.
Teams
Highlanders: R Muza, M Khoza, T Dube (A Faira 62'), A Ndlovu, M Ncube, R Sibanda (B Ncube 53'), T Muvuti (M Sibanda 53'), A Mbeba, Mason Mushore, N Rauzhi, H Ncube
MWOS: F Tizayi, T Nyabunze, V Katsande, I Zambezi (C Kangwari 46'), M Murambiwa, T Mutyambizi, T George, M Mudzuka, B Veremu (S Cheya 61'), A Sibanda, N Matinha
