The Sunday News
Langton Nyakwenda
Harare City …………………………………………………. (1) 1
Highlanders …………………………………………………….. 0
AILING giants Highlanders succumbed to their fourth defeat in a row when they fell to bogey side Harare City in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium yesterday. City, who were held 1-1 by Bosso in controversial circumstances at Barbourfields in the reverse fixture, got their revenge courtesy of an early goal by exciting left winger Talent Chawapiwa.
The slippery Chawapiwa pounced home from close range, only three minutes after kick off, after a static Highlanders’ defence had failed to deal with a corner kick by William Manondo.
The victory pushed the Sunshine Boys to 34 points and was a huge relief for Harare City coach Taurai Mangwiro whose side went into the match winless in three outings.
The win was also crucial for Mangwiro who is chasing a top six target.
“It’s a good three points for us, we wanted to increase the gap between us and the teams behind us and Highlanders is one of them.
“We are now nine points ahead of Highlanders and this is good because we are chasing a top six finish,” said Harare City assistant coach Mkhupali Masuku after the match.
The result left Bosso stuck on 25 points, a massive 21 behind log leaders Chicken Inn and closer to the red zone than the top four.
History favoured the hosts in this fixture as Bosso have never beaten the Sunshine Boys in a league match at Rufaro since 2012.
Bosso came into the match on the back of three consecutive losses to FC Platinum, WhaWha as well as Chicken Inn and a fixture against their bogey side. Harare City was always going to be a difficult one.
The three-match losing streak claimed the scalp of coach Bongani Mafu who paved way for former Bosso player Amini Soma-Phiri.
And it was a bad first day in office for Soma-Phiri but the gaffer is confident things will soon work out at the fading Bulawayo giants.
“It is a pity that we conceded an early goal that must have been avoided. As my first game, the way the guys played, I think they deserve a pat on the back.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done, today we needed a little bit of luck but I am sure we will win our next game.
“We will improve in our second and third match, it has only been five days in office and I think we are moving in the right direction,” said Soma-Phiri.
Highlanders had two golden chances to claw back into the game, first in the 33rd minute when the gifted King Nadolo curled his effort over bar and in the 65th minute when speed merchant Gabriel Nyoni had one too many touches in front of goal before his shot was blocked by City defender Themba Ndlovu.
Teams
Harare City: T Dube, T Chimwemwe, A Chiveya, T Ndlovu, C Dickson, T Samanja, J Jam, M Vengesayi, W Manondo (R Uchena 88 mins), F Zekumbawire (K Kumwala 56 mins), T Chawapiwa (B Maglasi 80 mins)
Highlanders: A Sibanda, S Munawa, K Nadolo (E Muzanenhamo 84 mins), M Maphosa, O Tarumbwa, B Kangwa, F Chindungwe, E Mudzingwa, V Ndaba (H Moyo 60 mins), G Nyoni, P Muduhwa
