HWANGE . . . . . . . (0) 3 HIGHLANDERS . . (1) 1 CORNWELL MUCHAVURAWA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
THERE is no end in sight for Highlanders’ Castle Premiership woes as they succumbed to their fifth straight defeat at the Colliery yesterday against a Hwange side that is aiming for a top-four finish.
Bosso are seventh on the log with 39 points, three below Hwange who moved back into fourth place with 42 points, after FC Platinum failed to beat Caps United at the National Sports Stadium yesterday. Platinum are also on 42, but with an inferior goal difference.
Munyaradzi Diya scored for the visitors in the first half before Hwange turned back the tide with goals from Evans Rusike, Munyaradzi Mungadze and Newman Sianchali.
Rusike’s goal was the 12th of the season which ties him in the top scorers’ charts with Bosso bad boy Charles Sibanda.
Sibanda missed yesterday’s match after being dropped for indiscipline.
Highlanders coach Mark Mathe accepted defeat, but mourned a glut of missed chances.
“We had so many chances that we fluffed especially in the first half,” he said.
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“We should have scored many goals. The problem that we are having is a porous defence. We need to work on it.
“I am happy with the young strikers for they have a good combination and what’s left is for them to start scoring goals.”
Hwange assistant coach Chenjerai Dube was full of praises for his charges.
“I attribute this win to a strong mentality and team spirit that was shown by the players after going to the breather trailing one nil,” he said.
“We managed to show character, especially in the second half and now we are focusing on the next game.”
Mungadze attempted to clear a through pass to Ozias Zibande from Hillary Madzivanyika and in the process fouled the striker inside the box and referee Hardlife Ndazi pointed to the penalty spot.
Up stepped Bosso keeper Munyaradzi Diya to beat his opposite number Takabva Mawaya for the opener and only goal of the first stanza.
Hwange equalised in the 52nd minute through Rusike who received a pass from Rodwell Chinyengetere and made easy work of Innocent Mapuranga and Dumisani Ndlovu, before slotting past Diya.
Hwange then started dictating pace and Mathe responded by pulling out Madzivanyika for Mthulisi Maphosa in 58th minute.
Bruce Kangwa came close to putting Bosso in the lead again after some good exchange of passes with Knox Mutizwa, but watched in agony as his short went off target.
Mungadze then turned from villain to hero as he scored Hwange’s second goal in the 65th minute following a goalmouth melée from the free-kick as Highlanders failed to clear their lines.
Sianchali then sealed the game when he scored Hwange’s third goal on the stroke of full time.
