Highlanders dismal Cup performance

Sport
HIGHLANDERS once again failed to exorcise the “Ghost of Penalty Taking” when they booted out in the first round of the One Wallet Cup making this their fourth failed attempt at lifting a cup this season.

HIGHLANDERS once again failed to exorcise the “Ghost of Penalty Taking” when they booted out in the first round of the One Wallet Cup making this their fourth failed attempt at lifting a cup this season. THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Bosso lost 4-3 on penalties to how Mine at Ascot Stadium on Saturday.

The inconsistent Kelvin Kaindu side failed to hang on to a 1-0 lead with 17 minutes separating the two goals from either side by Felix Chindungwe for Bosso and Godfrey Nguwodzawo for How Mine.

Highlanders could have sealed the game when they were awarded a penalty three minutes into the second half when George Magariro brought down Charles Sibanda inside the box.

The usually reliable Sibanda’s shot was saved by Ephraim Mazarura for How Mine.

Welcome Ndiweni and Valentine Ndaba missed their penalties after the end of regulation time. This is the third time that Highlanders have lost in a cup game through penalties after the Independence Trophy semi-final and the CG Msipa Charity Shield.

Highlanders fell to Platinum in the Independence Trophy semi-final at Barbourfields Stadium on March 30 5-6.

Kudakwashe Mahachi missed the penalty in the instance to send Platinum to the final and they eventually won it. In the CG Msipa Charity Shield Bosso lost to Chapungu 2-1 on penalties.

Sibanda scored the only penalty for his side while teammates Bruce Kangwa, Mahachi, Peter Moyo and Ariel Sibanda failed to convert.

They were beaten again in the Bob 90 final 2-0 in Harare by arch rivals Dynamos during regulation time. As probably a tactic to score more penalties, Kaindu introduced Ariel as a striker a few moments before the end of the match.

Ariel scored his penalty. Highlanders have struggled in penalty taking and even though Kaindu has tried to use different players to take penalties.

Munyaradzi Diya has three goals so far and all of them spot-kicks making him one of the most reliable dead-ball specialists.

Highlanders were not the only team at they weekend to be booted out through penalties.

Harare City failed to hang on to their lead and drew one-all against Triangle and losing 6-7 on penalties.

Phineas Bamusi and Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye failed to convert for Harare City while Felix Kuswatuka had his kick saved.

Chicken Inn who were pitted against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium travelled to Zvishavane and brought back to Bulawayo a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Clemence Matawu strike towards the end of the match.