HIGHLANDERS finally got that desired goal and collected maximum points at home when they beat visiting Green Fuel in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Mafious Chihweta, returned from injury and struck in the 50th minute, capitalising on a spill by Green Fuel goalkeeper Ashley Rayners to poke thr ball into the nets inside the penalty box.
Chihweta was the last to score for Highlanders a few weeks ago when the Bulawayo giants beat Manica Diamonds with a solitary goal a few weeks ago under coach Kelvin Kaindu, who was fired after a goalless draw with Chicken Inn at BF, for a string of poor results.
The Highlanders dribbling wizard was injured in the game against Manica Diamonds.
It was Highlanders' first goal under interim coach Try Ncube, who lost at home to MWOS before an away draw to Kwekwe United at Bata Stadium last weekend.
The goal brought some zest into the game, which otherwise had a lifeless first half, with Highlanders fans in the terraces chanting against the club's leadership saying the club needs a new management.
Ncube was relieved after the hard fought victory.
"It was a good game that started so well with us playing much better. We deservedly got that goal in the second half. In the second half we started a bit on the back foot. Mafios was not feeling well, he was having difficulties in breathing that is why we took him out. It's a good win for us," Ncube said.
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Their first chance came three minutes before the half hour mark, with Chihweta executing a beautiful curler from just outside the box, which was safely collected by Rayners.
Rayners came to Green Fuel's rescue a few minutes later punching a dangerous looking cross by Bosso' s Mvelo Khoza from the right flank.
Bosso got another chance in the 33rd minute but his effort was well defended by Garikai Damatsika after a gaffer by his colleague Emmanuel Chikwende.
The visitors had a considerable number of scoring opportunities that came their way in the second but the goals could not come.
Denzel Mapuwa's effort was blocked by the Highlanders defensive wall from a well-taken free-kick. Highlanders goalkeeper saved the hosts from Ronald Chitiyo whose effort he punched away to hit the cross bar in the 76th minute.
For Green Fuel, assistant coach Godfrey Tamirepi said: "The second half performance was brilliant while we had a bad first half where we lost concentration towards the end. We lost possession and we got punished. In the first half, we didn’t keep the ball as much as we wanted to. Whenever we were in possession, we gave it away cheaply, there was no fluidity. But, in the second half we were much in control, Highlanders defended well."
Teams:
Highlanders: R Muza, M Khoza, A Ndlovu, R Sibanda (N Ndlovu 70'), A Mbeba, M Mushore, N Rauzhi, D Munkuli ( Nyathi, 70'), H Ncube, L Mutumbi, M Chihweta (P Mushonga, 46')
GreenFuel: A Rayners, B Kugudu, E Chikwende, R Kwaramba, C Mujuru, G Dematsika, C Rupiya (R Chitiyo 46'), A Silla, K Ngwende, H Masina (G Mutina, 66'), P Chikwende (D Mapuwa 56')
