Buffaloes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1 Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0)1
KENNETH NYANGANI SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
HIGHLANDERS collected a crucial away point yesterday after they held stubborn Buffaloes in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare.
An own goal salvaged the crucial point for the title-chasing giants and left them in second position with 41 points, one behind leaders Dynamos who drew 0-0 with Monomotapa at Rufaro Satdium yesterday.
Buffaloes head coach Timothy Masachi said they had been poised to win the match.
“We should have won the match. It was just a lapse of concentration from my players. They played very well. We are now looking forward to playing them in the Mbada Diamonds Cup next week,” he said.
His counterpart Kelvin Kaindu said he was happy with the fighting spirit of his players.
“It was a good match from both teams. They are good sides. I am also happy with the fighting spirit that was shown by my players. I think authorities at Buffaloes should also look at their pitch. It’s not suitable to play good football,” he added.
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The match — a dress rehearsal ahead of the side’s clash in the Mbada Diamonds last eight in Masvingo next Sunday — lived to its billing which saw both teams charming football followers with an entertaining match throughout the afternoon.
Highlanders started the match on a strong footing pressing their opponents forward. Just four minutes into the match the visitors almost went ahead, but Gabriel Nyoni failed to connect Simon Munawa’s cross into the box.
As soon as the army side found their stride, both sides exchanged fierce raids. In the 17th minute Buffaloes striker Jacob Muzokomba surprised Highlanders shot-stopper Munyaradzi Diya with a stinging shot that scraped the paint off the crossbar.
Exciting Bosso star Bruce Kangwa’s good work on the left flank was in vain after gunslinger Nyoni failed to connect a pin-point cross.
The visitors went under a wave of attack in a two-minute spell.
In the 26th minute Diya was called into action after parrying away a Muzokomba close-range shot for a corner-kick.
In the resultant corner-kick, Highlanders defender Lawson Nkomo was forced to clear off the line a Wonder Sithole firm header to survive another scare.
Just a minute after the breather Eric Mudzingwa brought down Muzokomba inside the box and referee Ruzive Ruzive did not hesitate to point to the spot.
Up stepped Steven Sibanda to beat Diya and send the home side fans into frenzy. Sibanda took his tally to 11 goals this season.
In the 58th minute Mthulisi Maphosa headed wide a Kangwa corner-kick as Highlanders sought an equaliser.
On the hour, Diya tipped over the bar a Muzokomba header from a Sibanda cross.
In the 81st minute a lapse in concentration by the army side defender Benevolio Mukwena almost gifted the visitors a goal, but substitute Ozias Zibande shot over the bar.
With Highlanders pressing forward, Buffaloes striker Lloyd Katongomara who came in for Muzokomba in the 68th minute scored an own goal in the 88th from a goal mouth scramble to give the away side a crucial point.
