Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Highlanders 1-1 Manica Diamonds
HIGHLANDERS’ survival hopes took a major knock yesterday after they surrendered a first half lead to draw 1-1 with Manica Diamonds in a tense Castle Lager Premiership match at Barbourfields Stadium.
The result left both teams stuck on 38 points, the same tally as Dynamos who could only get a point away to Yadah, setting up a nerve shredding final day next weekend. Bosso now face cross-town rivals Chicken Inn, also on 38 points, in what could become a winner survives decider.
Bosso looked in control after a dominant first half, but a second half mistake by goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda handed Evans Katema a 65th minute equaliser, leaving the hosts to rue missed chances and lost momentum.
Playing under light drizzle, Highlanders started brightly and won a corner inside the first minute. They kept up the pressure, but Never Rauzhi’s wasteful finishing and heavy touches drew groans from fans who were calling for his substitution barely 15 minutes in.
Manica Diamonds threatened first when Kudzanai Dhemere forced a sharp save from Sibanda in the 12th minute after being picked out by Charles Teguru. Bosso responded through fluid passing between Archford Faira and Rauzhi, but the winger failed to capitalise.
The home side’s appeals for a penalty in the 20th minute were waved away after Farai Banda appeared to handle Andrew Mbeba’s cross. Two minutes later, a teasing delivery from Rauzhi caused panic in the Manica defence, but goalkeeper Geoffrey Chitsumba and Clive Dzingai scrambled the ball away for a corner.
Highlanders’ persistence finally paid off in the 31st minute. Melikhaya Ncube surged forward and, instead of shooting, cleverly laid the ball off to Mbeba on the right. Mbeba’s cutback found Ncube again, who calmly buried his effort to give Bosso a deserved 1-0 lead at halftime.
The second half, however, told a different story. The Gem Boys came out organised and purposeful.
Tinotenda Musariranwa should have levelled in the 53rd minute but headed over the bar from close range. Bosso then missed a golden chance to extend their lead when Ncube set up Rauzhi, who dragged his effort wide with only the keeper to beat.
Manica Diamonds punished them soon after. In the 65th minute, Sibanda misjudged a harmless looking ball, spilling it into the path of substitute Katema, who made no mistake from close range.
Bosso thought they had regained the lead four minutes later when Tendai Muvuti turned in a Mbeba cross, but the referee ruled it out for a foul on the keeper. Chitsumba then pulled off a stunning double save in the 77th minute, denying Muvuti and Mbeba in quick succession.
As the clock ticked down, Brighton Ncube combined neatly with Reason Sibanda, but the forward’s shot flashed wide. The biggest miss came in stoppage time when Reason Sibanda ballooned his effort over the bar with the goal gaping after a slick move involving Brian Mlotshwa.
After the final whistle, Highlanders coach Pieter de Jongh couldn’t hide his frustration.
“It’s a disappointing result because we controlled 80-85 minutes of the game. We led 1-0, created chances but the second goal did not come. One moment, a mistake from the keeper and then it’s 1-1. We dropped two points. There was one team that played football, dominated and created chances. Reason had a chance and failed to score. There are no excuses.”
His opposite number, Tafadzwa Mashiri, praised his side’s composure.
“I think we played according to the game plan. We said we needed to restrict them. Highlanders have massive, cheerful fans and I told my guys to guard against that and they did just that,” he said.
Both teams now have 38 points with one round of fixtures remaining, leaving them perilously close to the relegation zone. For Bosso, it was a painful reminder of what could have been. For the Gem Boys, it was a priceless point that keeps their survival hopes alive.
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