HIGHLANDERS finally managed three wins in a row and this time in emphatic fashion to extend their stay atop the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL), midway through the season.
THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The 4-2 thumping of Bantu Rovers was the highest scoring derby of the weekend, followed by the Zvishavane derby between FC Platinum and Shabanie Mine which the later lost 1-2 at Mandava on Saturday.
The much-talked about Harare derby between Caps United and Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium ended 1-1.
Highlanders drew 1-1 with Triangle before they lost to Dynamos 0-1, but made amends by beating Black Rhinos 3-1, dismissing How Mine 2-1 and routing Bantu Rovers 4-2 on Sunday, registering their finest run this season.
With the second half of the season upon us, Highlanders will play Bantu Rovers and How Mine before they travel to Kadoma to meet Black Rhinos. They will then play Dynamos and Triangle, probably at Mandava Stadium, with Barbourfields now due for renovations.
The former league champions seemed to struggle against Bantu Rovers who have already started their fight to survive the chop.
Highlanders top the log standings with 30 points while Bantu Rovers are second from log anchors with 14 points.
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Despite having played better than Highlanders, the team have failed to score more goals with coach Methembe Ndlovu saying their failure to bag goals was costing them.
For Highlanders, Charles Sibanda who has since become the darling of Bosso supporters took his tally to 10 with a hattrick.
When the former FC Platinum player joined Bosso he was subjected to whistles and jeers from supporters who thought he was not at the top of his game but has since settled and is seemingly enjoying his game.
With the midfield more mobile since the introduction of Joel Ngodzo into the fray, and the recovery of Mthulisi Maphosa, more would likely come from the 2010 soccer star of the year.
Referee Rugare Kusosa did not have one of the best afternoons as he raised more questions than answers.
Kusosa ignored Bantu Rovers midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu just outside their box leaving play to continue despite the fact that he had suffered a head injury. It was only after his teammates had stopped playing the ball that the young player was attended to.
Kusosa gestured that he should stand and walk off the pitch, but as Kutinyu stood he staggered and had to be supported by the medical team. He was later stretchered off the field.
By yesterday morning coach Ndlovu said Kutinyu was still to be assessed by team doctors. Highlanders left-back Bruce Kangwa also had to be stretchered off the field minutes after the final whistle.
Kangwa told the Highlanders medical team that he was having breathing difficulties after they had spotted him lying in the middle of the field as everyone left for the dressing room.
Coach Kelvin Kaindu said the player had a bout of flu.
“Bruce is feeling better. He was put on a drip and released later. He was only given oxygen at the stadium, but was not admitted. He had flu and more than half of the players in the team who played had flu,” the Zambian national said.
Kangwa, Innocent Mapuranga, Dumisani Ndlovu and Simon Munawa who was later substituted for Felix Chindungwe made up the defence for Highlanders. Kutinyu, Moses Majika, Obadiah Tarumbwa and Bukhosi Sibanda were instrumental in the Bantu Rovers attack despite the loss.
Ndlovu has been criticised in some circles for making use of young players, but with their performance of late, they have managed to give even the biggest teams tough matches.
Bantu Rovers have given their young players who include Sibanda, Kutinyu, Teenage Hadebe, Denzel Khumalo and Lucky Ndlela more game time than most teams in the PSL.
Highlanders have Graciano Chakafana, King Nadolo, Godfrey Makaruse and Mgcini Sibanda who had a chance to play in the league while Nkosana Maseko and Bothwell Nyathi are still to make their debut appearances.
