Highlanders FC . . . . . . .(0)1
Scottland FC . . . . . . . . . (0)1
A LAST-MINUTE header by Mthokozisi Msebe deep into the referee's optional time rescued Scottland from a second defeat in a row against Highlanders in a balanced Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
When it seemed as though Highlanders had recorded a famous victory against their newly sworn nemesis, Msebe brilliantly headed a Gareth Madhake cross past a sprawling Raphael Pitisi, and a pin could be heard dropping inside the fully packed stadium.
It was 10 minutes earlier that Andrew Mbeba had thrust Highlanders into the lead with a trademark curling free kick from the far side that deceived a badly positioned Nelson Chadya.
Although coach Tonderai Ndiraya gave the benefit of the doubt to his goalkeeper after the match, Chadya perhaps could have done better.
"Unfortunately, we conceded a very soft goal, but I don't blame the goalkeeper for that goal. It is very normal. It happens in football," said Ndiraya.
"But overall, what more can you ask from your team when you come here and get a point against a very good team that is being built here in a very electric environment? The crowd was great; if football is played in such an environment across the country, then we can have more sponsors coming in."
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"I'm happy with the result. I mean, you always want three points, but remember this is Barbourfields. You don't just come here and go out with maximum points. It's difficult for you to even get a point. So, I'll take a point. The players put in a good shift," Ndiraya said.
On the other hand, Kelvin Kaindu looked dejected after his team once again conceded a last-minute goal, having done the same against Green Fuel in the 2-2 stalemate.
"I'm not quite sure if we can say we got a point. I think, looking at the time we scored, we should have come out with maximum points. Once again, with the last kick, we conceded in added time. It is one area we need to work on. It was a tight game; it could have gone either way. But we are showing that we are building up a team of youngsters that came in,” Kaindu said.
The duo of Khama Billiat and Walter Musona started on the bench and were only introduced after 68 minutes of action. Their introduction suddenly awakened the crowd, which had gone quiet as the tempo of the highly anticipated encounter had dropped.
Highlanders dominated the first half but failed to create clear-cut opportunities. They had a close penalty shout after 36 minutes when it appeared Ronald Pfumbidzai had handled a cross under pressure from Reason Sibanda, but the referee, Kwanele Manenda, waved the appeals away.
Scottland came back from the break with intentions of stealing the lead and were nearly rewarded with a goal after Michael Tapera broke free on their left side in the 55th minute but was fouled by Pitisi, who escaped with a yellow card instead of red as it appeared he had denied the forward a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
The best chance of the day fell to Mason Mushore, whose curled grounder at the edge of the box brushed the post after some good work by Sibanda, who interchanged passes with substitute Nqobile Ndlovu. Sibanda's effort was blocked, and the loose ball fell kindly to the right foot of Mushore.
Teams:
Highlanders FC: R Pitisi, T Dube (A Faira 77), A Ndlovu, B Mlotshwa, McKinnon Mushore (N Ndlovu 67), M Ncube, R Sibanda (M Hativagoni 89), B Ncube (T Muvuti 77), A Mbeba, Mason Mushore, N Rauzhi (D Mukuli 89)
Scottland FC: N Chadya, T Chipunza, M Tapera, P Muduhwa, G Madhake, K Moyo, R Pfumidzai (K Jason 86), P Mutimbanyoka (W Musona 68), L Chikuhwa (K Billiart 68), V Kawe (Mutasa 86), F Botchway.
