Bosso held in not so friendly encounter

By Sakheleni Nxumalo

Highlanders.....(0) 1

Chapungu........(1) 1

THE use of excessive force in what was supposed to be a friendly encounter by Chapungu United players against their Highlanders counterparts nearly spoilt this pre-season encounter at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Even Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino was not impressed by his charges’ conduct during the drawn encounter in which Tongai Magwendere was on target for the visitors while Highlanders got their goal from Ozias Zibande.

“Basically I am very happy with my team’s performance considering that it’s almost a new team but I am not happy with the kind of behaviour that my players expressed on the field of play.

“It’s not good to get two red cards in a single match and that’s one area that I think I have to work on, the discipline part,” Nyikadzino told journalists in his post match interview.

The airmen were so physical in their approach and it was no surprise when they finished the match two men short.

Overzealous defender Smart Muchabaiwa was shown a straight red card by referee Philan Ncube for a violent tackle on Arnold Ndiweni in the first half while Hillary Mugoniwa was sent off after picking up a second yellow card in added time.

Ndiweni had to be stretchered off the field of play and Knox Mutizwa came in as his replacement.

Chapungu were first to find the target on the half hour mark when Magwendere scored from close range off a Mugoniwa corner kick.

The set piece came about after former How Mine linkman Edmore Muzanenhamo failed to clear his lines and was dispossessed by Chapungu forward Gift Phiri who charged at goal before letting loose an effort that Highlanders keeper Ariel Sibanda punched out of play.

Highlanders could have gone to the break on level terms but teenage striker Thomas Chideu failed to convert from the penalty spot after Magwendere had handled a Julius Daudi free kick inside the Chapungu penalty box.

The young striker hit his effort hard and low but Chapungu keeper Stephen Roy Mazingi dived to his left and palmed the ball away for a corner which Highlanders failed to utilise.

And with a minute to go before half-time, Mazingi again denied Chideu when he rushed off his line to clear a dangerous looking through ball that the youngster was chasing with the Chapungu defence in sixes and sevens.

After the break Zibande came in for Mlungisi Ncube and he went on to draw Highlanders level on 72 minutes when he struck from a few metres out off a Mutizwa corner kick that prior to the goal forced Chapungu keeper Mazingi into a couple of top drawer saves to deny Bruce Kangwa and Chideu.

Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance.

“It’s a positive work in progress. We got good players in there but we also have got young players in there,” Mafu said.

“We have a positive future I think. There is a lot to correct but I am happy and I think its something that we can shape and get ready for competition.”

The Highlanders coach said he was looking forward to the return from injury of seasoned players that include Eric Mudzingwa and Welcome Ndiweni to guide their less experienced team mates.

Bosso is not lacking in experience though as they managed to retain quite a number of their seasoned players who include first choice keeper Sibanda, defenders Felix Chindungwe, Innocent Mapuranga, Webster Chingodza and Bruce Kangwa – who has since been pushed further up field to play as a left – link, midfielders Simon Munawa, Valentine Ndaba and Rahman Kutsanzira.

Teams:

Highlanders

Ariel Sibanda, Marshall Machazane, Julius Daudi, Felix Chindungwe (Douglas Sibanda 68), Lindelani Ncube, Simon Munawa, Edmore Muzanenhamo (Tendai Ngulube 68), Arnold Ndiweni (Knox Mutizwa 39), Bruce Kangwa (Godfrey Makaruse 80), Thomas Chideu (Ashton Mhlanga 80) and Mlungisi Ncube (Ozias Zibande 46).

Chapungu

Stephen Roy Mazingi, Smart Muchabaiwa, Hillary Mugoniwa, Moenda Muchingami, Blessing Zabula, Marvelous Dikinya (Maxwell Mavhuto 80), Lawrence Mapuya (Ranganai Sibanda 89), Gift Phiri (Nhlanhla Ncube 61), Rodwell Mhlanga (Abton Chekai 80), Tongai Magwendere, and Tendai Mukambi.