Bosso outwit De Mbare
Highlanders (1) 2 Dynamos (0) 1
CHARLES Chilufya scored in the 86th minute to guarantee Highlanders maximum points over bitter rivals Dynamos in a tension-filled but exciting match watched by close to 35 000 fans at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday. The goal could mark the return of Chilufya as a regular scorer for Highlanders, a team he helped to win the 2002 league title with his haul of 18. He is not yet at his best. The match looked destined for a draw until the small Zambian midfielder struck from point blank range with four minutes to go. His team had taken the lead in the 15th minute through goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini from the spot with Francis Chandida curling the equaliser beyond the reach of the Zimbabwe goalminder in the 51st minute.
Highlanders started off with a workmanlike attitude pouring forward in search of a goal. Dabwitso Nkhoma who gave the Dynamos defence a torrid time each time he had the ball broke loose in the sixth minute and was pulled back by Andrew Chifamba. Thomas Svesve�s effort from the resultant freekick was parried for a corner after Tendai Tanyanyiwa found it too hot to handle. A minute later Nkhoma headed wide a good cross from the right by Zimbabwe international Honour Gombami. Highlanders continued piling on the pressure over the jittery Dynamos defence and in the ninth minute they came close again. Thamsanqa Vundla shrugged off a Dynamos defender�s challenge 40 metres out and charged towards goal before letting loose a scorcher that went wide. He hurried his effort and could have done better by passing the ball to Nkhoma who was making a good run. Impressive referee David Sibanda who handled the explosive encounter well was well positioned in the 14th minute to award Highlanders a penalty. James Matola, who had a terrible game at the heart of the Dynamos defence, brought down Nkhoma in the box. The visitors� players whose discipline needs urgent attention protested against the decision for almost a minute, and when sanity prevailed Kapini had the easiest of opportunities, sending Tanyanyiwa the wrong way.
Tanyanyiwa was to deny Highlanders a certain goal in the 33rd minute. In an amateurish bid to clear the ball with a diving header, Matola headed to the danger zone setting up Nkhoma. The Zambian gratefully controlled the ball, took a few steps and tried tucking the ball under the diving goalkeeper. Tanyanyiwa blocked the effort much to the relief of the visitors� fans. Eddie Mufema who was bottled all afternoon eluded his marker in the 40th minute with a cheeky overhead kick that was punched for a corner by an alert Kapini, undoubtedly Bosso�s manofthe match. Dynamos� equaliser came off a giftwrapped stray pass by Gift Lunga. The Highlanders leftback just kicked the ball aimlessly towards his own box and Chandida controlled it from 25m out and curled it beyond the reach of Kapini to send his team�s supporters into a frenzy. After that goal Highlanders temporarily went to sleep forcing Dickson Chama and Madinda Ndlovu to pull out Manase Mwanza and Gombami, both of whom had a quiet game, in particular the Zimbabwe international. The introduction in the 69th minute of Mkhokheli Dube and Costa Maradzike upped the tempo of the game for the home team.
They have Kapini to thank for denying Chandida a second goal when he went airborne in the 76th minute to pluck out the ball to safety. The gangly Dynamos midfielder�s effort seemed destined for the far right corner of the goal. Chilufya, in his only contribution of the afternoon scored the winner in the 86th minute. Big Chipo Tsodzo chested down a long ball from the left wing right inside the box as Dynamos defenders desperately set out to clear it and Chilufya ghosted in to score with a firm grounder. It was an exciting match, which had its own moments of madness with Dynamos players in particular spoiling the afternoon with too many dangerous tackles. This time around they failed to intimidate the Highlanders youthful pack as they also got a bit of their own medicine in tackles by Bekithemba Ndlovu, Svesve and Mwanza. Chandida, always the spoiler at Barbourfields Stadium, was lucky not to be caught by Sibanda when he kicked young Sifiso Nketa in an offtheball incident deliberately. Another blemish for Sibanda was his failure to flash a yellow card to Svesve for rough play on Clive Mwale. The Zambian also could have earned himself a needless red card for retaliating. With the win Highlanders are becoming a strong threat to run away leaders CAPS United. They maintained second spot taking their points tally to 20 from nine games. Teams
Highlanders: T Kapini, M Mwanza (C Maradzike 69th minute), G Lunga, T Svesve, T Nkomazana, S Nketa, C Chilufya, H Gombami (M Dube 69th minute), B Ndlovu, D Nkhoma, T Vundla (80th minute).
Dynamos: T Tanyanyiwa, T Mutisi, A Chifamba, N Togara, J Matola, L Gwata, L Kurauzvione, C Mwale, F Chandida, M Dube (G Manuela 57th minute), E Mufema. Referees: D Sibanda, J Ali, E Nkau.
Estimated crowd: 27 000.
Highlanders humble De Mbare
HIGHLANDERS coache Dick Chama finally broke the jinx over Dynamos when he led his team to a 21 win over their bitter rivals in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday. And what a sweet victory and revenge it was!
Last year Highlanders failed to win against Dynamos even in a friendly match in which the Harare team brought a second rate squad. Today�s victory was carved from two goals, one a well taken penalty by Tapuwa Kapini in the 15th minute and the second by prodigal son Charles Chilufya in the dying minutes of the second half. It was Chilufya�s first goal at Highlanders this season and it would not have come against a better opponent than Dynamos. When referee David Sibanda blew to signal fulltime after adding four minutes of optional time in the second half, fans went mad. Highlanders chairman Kennedy Ndebele who watched in agony last year when his team failed to beat Dynamos in two league matches shed a tear of joy. He deserved his moment of glory, which has taken too long to come and one would have understood his actions, the win his biggest in his four months as chairman. Celebrations did not start yesterday as a festive mood had engulfed Bulawayo from as early as Saturday with supporters partying at the many stokvels in Magwegwe, Makokoba, Mpopoma, Cowdray Park, Emganwini, Luveve, Pumula and Iminyela.
Bosso fans from the UK and South Africa were kept abreast of the finer moments at Emagumeni by mobiles so much that telecommunications companies could be the biggest winners come billing day. Some drove from Botswana and South Africa with one Bosso fan Sam Nkomo flying all the way from eastern Zambia to watch the epic clash dubbed the 2004 Battle for Zimbabwe Part One. Highlanders who were now labeled by Dynamos supporters as perennial bridesmaids survived a late second half onslaught and got the sucker punch to add to the Harare team�s woes. It was a sad day for Keegan Mumba in his first match after his return from Black Rhinos. The magic wand must have dropped off between Cranborne Barracks and Mbare as he changed clubs. While at Rhinos Mumba beat Highlanders 10 to early this season to make it three wins in a row over Chama. And Mumba�s parade with Luke Masomere, Seamus McCathy and folks at Unity Village�s Flea Market about two hours before the match, did not seem to do Dynamos any good. It was Seamus who entered the field first before the match, followed by interim organising secretary Simon Sachiti and Mumba. But when the match ended, Masomere could not comment. He referred all questions to Mumba who disappeared in a flash after the final whistle. �It was a good win for Highlanders, they played well,� said McCathy. Two former Highlanders strikers, who formed a terrible combination during their timeZenzo Moyo and Joel Luphahla, were there to see the black and white machine bag the three points.
PSL interim chairman Tendai Madzorera and secretarygeneral and fixtures secretary Chris Sambo could not be left out of the action. They just had to be at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday. Highlanders lost to Dynamos 20, 30 and 20 during the 2003 season and went down 21 in the Independence Trophy final on 18 April this year. So yesterday�s win over Dynamos was long overdue, according to Chama. �It was long overdue, we could have beaten Dynamos in the Independence Trophy, they are a good side they played well especially in the second half, but my boys deserved to win the match,� Chama said in a post match interview. Highlanders assistant coach Madinda Ndlovu, who was not amused by his team�s loss in the Independence Trophy said his team had an advantage over Dynamos yesterday. �The boys played well and they had a psychological advantage over Dynamos. They had a free mind and they were bent on breaking that jinx.� Ndlovu said. Ndlovu said they played tactical move when they substituted Honour Gombani and left Chilufya on the pitch, as they had read Dynamos� game very well. �It was a tactical move, you read your opponents game before making any changes, we were under pressure in the second half but our substitutions paid off,� Ndlovu said. Eccentric Highlanders goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini, who scored the first goal, also paid tribute to Chilufya for getting the winning goal, although he castigated Highlanders supporters for trying to get the Zambian substituted in the second half. �Our supporters must get behind the players, who are even off form and support them. They tried to get Chilufya off, but he got us the winning goal,� said Kapini. Bosso are slowly getting to looking like a team capable of getting back to the top.
Highlanders edge Saints
MAY 2004
Zimbabwe Saints ............................... (0) 1
Highlanders ...................................... (1) 2
FATE is cruel and Zimbabwe Saints learnt it the hard way as Highlanders scored a late winner in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match that deserved to end in a draw at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday. Both teams finished with 10 players after Gilbert Banda for Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints Reuben Chipango were expelled for rough play by Bulawayo referee Sam Chirape. Zimbabwe Saints goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni was hero turned villain as Thamsanqa Vundlas tricky chip hit the upright and rebounded off him to give the 2002 champions a late winner. The goal, coming late as it did, triggered tempers from the losers whose physical trainer Roger Russell rose from the bench to headbutt Cosmas Nyoni, formerly of Masvingo who was the first assistant referee. Highlanders took the lead in the 36th minute through captain Bekithemba Ndlovu and Idon Sibanda made it 1-1 in the 76th minute.
Highlanders had a pulsating first half in which they dominated play and were it not for Nyoni in between the goalposts for Saints the game could have recorded netball scoreline. The former Cement player was the busier of the two goalkeepers and was called upon to make a good save as early as the second minute diving full length to his left to deny Mkhokheli Dube a goal. The skillful Dabwitso Nkhoma who seems to revel in unleashing new ideas from his dribbling bag of tricks had set him up. A minute later action swung to the other end, and a booming shot by Alex Matambanashe from 35 metres out drew the best out of Chenjerayi Dube who went airborne to hold the ball clean. Highlanders, who played a beautiful passing game in the first 45 minutes, had Saints back-pedalling throughout and forced two corners in the first three minutes as they set out to draw first blood. Nkhoma was denied by Nyoni in the 14th minute. Chipo Tsodzo came close two minutes later when his fierce shot struck from outside the box hit the cross bar with Nyoni a beaten man. Nyoni went down in the 34th minute to collect the ball from the feet of Tsodzo who had been sent through by Nkhoma after Gilbert Banda made a magnificent run on the right flank. It became a question of how soon were Saints going to let it up and in the 36th minute Highlanders won a corner. Gift Lunga took it and up went his captain Ndlovu to nod the ball unattended. No goals were added on despite Highlanders determined efforts to score a second. The youthful Saints defence held firm and Nyoni was also another stumbling block. The second half began at a snails pace with both teams trying to build from the back and via the flanks. There were too many fouls leading to the expulsion of the two players. Medics from either side were kept busy attending to injured players, which could justify referee Chirapes decision to expel Banda and Chipango and add five minutes of optional time, a period in which Highlanders found their winner.
In the 53rd minute Banda got his marching orders in what appeared to be a harsh decision in an incident that appeared to warrant a yellow card. But that incident seemed to have unnerved Chirape who then lost the grip, which he had maintained through out the first half. Chipango followed 12 minutes before full-time when he deliberately kicked Honour Gombami in an off the ball incident. Chirape who was now under pressure did not give Highlanders captain Ndlovu a card after he had a bad challenge on Saints player. In the 63rd minute Nyoni pulled off another save from the feet of Nkhoma who had broken loose in the box and appeared headed for the kill. He again saved efforts from Nkhoma and fellow Zambian Manase Mwanza in the 72nd and 74th minutes respectively. Saints got their goal in the 76th minute after a sweeping move on the right from the back. Maxwell Mburayi who came in for Madodana Sibanda in the 59th minute and troubled Bosso, switched play to the left. The ball found Iden unmarked and in good space and he let go to the far right corner a stinger that left Chenjerayi clutching the air. Vundla ensured his teams maximum points when he broke clear on the left and sent in a cheeky cross that eluded Nyoni and hit the upright to his left. The ball hit his back and crossed the line to send Highlanders fans into frenzy. Saints had a hearty performance with Mthulisi Maphosa and Sikhumbuzo doing a good policing job at the back. In midfield Mtshumayeli Moyo showed his class with some good runs and dribbles that often left Highlanders desperately defending and it was more pronounced following the arrival of Mburayi and Ronald Chari whose small bodies and pace were a constant menace to Thomas Svesve, Thubelihle Ncube and Thubelihle Nkomazana.
The match had all the characteristics of a derby but perhaps a draw would have been fair for a labouring Saints that is beginning to show signs of revival. If they keep on playing like this, they could soon start recording wins. They held their nerves in front of 18 000 fans a majority of whom were Highlanders supporters. Dickson Chama and Madinda Ndlovu, need to work hard on their finishing as their lads are creating the chances and only to be let down by pathetic finishing.
Bosso outclass Shabanie
MAY 2004
Highlanders (1) 2 Shabanie Mine 0
HIGHLANDERS dispatched Shabanie Mine with two clinically taken goals in each half in an entertaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Thanks to an allround performance by man of the match Honour Gombami, Highlanders were able to ensure that Shabanie lost their second consecutive league match after they went down 10 to CAPS United at Maglas last week. Gombami scored the opener in the 10th minute and had a hand in the second scored by skilful Zambian Dabwiso Nkhoma in the 70th minute. The return of big Warriors defender Zvenyika Makonese from suspension did not help matters in a match that was poorly handled by Hwange referee Philip Kawara. He just seemed not to concentrate on the match and reversed many decisions made by his assistants Dave Sibanda and Cosmas Nyoni, who were closer to action most of the times.
Shabanie coach Moses Chunga complained over the inept handling of the match saying: �It was a bad day for Zimbabwean football. VeMasvingo vakakusiira munzira (literally meaning Masvingo only took you halfway).� Kawara was beaten by Masvingo United players in a semifinal match against AmaZulu at Luveve in 2002 after he awarded the homeside a penalty in the second half. Chunga even refused to shake Highlanders coach Dick Chama�s hand after the match, as he tried to vent his anger. Kawara flashed yellow cards to captains of both sides Bekithemba Ndlovu and Albert Mbano and also to Patrick Mandizha and Nkhoma. The win saw Highlanders remain in fifth place with 14 points, but closing the gap on Shabanie who lie third with 15 points. CAPS opened a fivepoint gap after beating Zimbabwe Saints 10, while second placed Railstars could only draw 11 with Wankie. Highlanders could not be denied the three points yesterday and swept into the lead in the 10th minute.
Nkhoma received the ball from his captain Ndlovu just outside the box and had room to shoot, but unselfishly laid the ball to Gombami. The Warriors fringe player took a step forward and unleashed a rising left footer that beat a diving Andrew Chisunga. Ndlovu had the chance to increase Bosso�s lead in the 15th minute when he met Thomas Svesve�s free kick inside the box, but hurried his shot. Svesve could have been on target himself in the 22nd minute had Chisunga not tipped his freekick over the bar. In the 25th minute, Shabanie defender Phillip Sithole had to use his body to block Gombami�s effort with Chisunga already off his line. Shabanie�s first serious assault on the Highlanders goal came in the 37th minute when impressive leftback Stephen Matsaire brought in a low shot into the box intended for Mbano, but Nkhoma who had come all the way back scrambled the ball off.
Makonese almost headed the ball into his own net five minutes from the break under pressure from Charles Chilufya, but Chisunga leapt higher to tip the ball over the bar. Seven minutes into the second half, Mandizha shot wide after being set up by Sithole. In the 62nd minute, substitute Mkhokheli Dube came face to face with Chisunga but was stopped in his tracks. The ball though rolled onto the path of Chipo Tsodzo whose grounder was cleared off the line by Makonese with Chisunga out of action. Mbano could have equalised in the 67th minute when he beat Gilbert Banda to the ball, but Tapuwa Kapini dived full length to punch back into play his curling effort. The ball fell to Ernest Gava who took his time and was eventually dispossessed by Thubelihle Nkomazana. Three minutes later, Highlanders were two up and Gombami started the move from the centre when he spotted onrushing Tsodzo on the right. The big striker changed direction and switched the ball to leftback Gift Lunga. He released a grounder into the box, which beat Chisunga, and Nkhoma was on hand to tap it home. He celebrated his second goal in three matches by removing his jersey and for that he earned a yellow card from Kawara. Four minutes later he forced Chisunga into a save with a rising left footer after being fed by Tsodzo as the last 20 minutes of the game turned into real action.
Five minutes from the end of the game, Mbano could have pulled one back but his header from Shadreck Malunga�s cross only brought the best from Kapini, who produced yet another brilliant save. Gombami had the last shot at goal, a 40metre drive that did little to trouble Chisunga. Highlanders coach Chama said they could have won by a bigger margin had his strikers been accurate in front of goal. �I was satisfied with the performance of the team in the second half, but we could have won by a bigger margin if the strikers had been accurate in front of goal. We pumped too many long balls upfront without using the midfield in the first half,� Chama said.
Teams
Highlanders: T Kapini, M Mwanza (T Ncube 75th min), G Lunga, G Banda, B Ndlovu, T Ncube, T Svesve, G Gombami, C Chilufya (M Dube 46th min), D Nkhoma, C Tsodzo
Shabanie Mine: A Chisunga, Z Makonese, S Matsaire, P Mandizha (C Dzimbiri 75th min), S Malunga, M Mwanjali, R Nenzou, T Mazanhi, A Mbano, E Gava, P Sithole.
Match officials: P Kawara, C Nyoni, D Sibanda
Estimated attendance: 18 000.
Highlanders, Amazulu draw
29 FEB 2004
Amazulu ...................................................................(0) 1
Highlanders .............................................................(0) 1
IT was the Charles Chilufya show.
One would not have been far from the truth in describing yesterday�s friendly match between Premiership champions Amazulu and Highlanders as the little midfield genius put up a scintillating show to dominate the midfield with sheer brilliance.
Chilufya was all over his Amazulu opponents on an afternoon both teams wound up their preparations for 2004 with a well contested friendly match which could have been mistaken for a cup game.
Amazulu were using yesterday�s match against the former league champions Highlanders to prepare for their opening round Champions League clash with Maxaquene of Mozambique.
For Highlanders who relinquished the title to Amazulu by a solitary point last year, it was in preparation for the forthcoming league championship race, which starts on Saturday. Highlanders were thrust into the lead by Mkhokheli Dube who side-footed a pass from the left by Chipo Tsodzo to beat Amazulu goalkeeper Dominic Sithole.
The big striker received a throw-in pass while Amazulu were still appealing against that decision and Tsodzo shrugged off David Mkandawire�s half-hearted challenge and charged towards goal.
He spotted an on rushing Mkhokheli and fed him in the box and the finish flew over a desperately diving Sithole who had earlier on thought the situation was under control by covering the near post.
Mkandawire scored his first goal at Barbourfields and one for his team in the 90th minute to force a draw.
A corner kick was swung on the right flank on to the blind side. Young Kelvin Dube, an 86th minute introduction, headed it back wide to the right and far post.
In came the towering Mkandawire to powerfully head past a Highlanders rearguard, which threatened to crack as early as the eighth minute of the first half.
While the Highlanders midfield looked enterprising, with the return of Chilufya Highlanders, coach Dickson Chama still has a lot to do in defence where his central defenders Thubelihle Nkomazana and Anzilom Ndlovu were badly exposed.