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From Ricky Zililo in BULAWAYO
Highlanders ……………………… (0) 1
Chapungu ………………………………0
HIGHLANDERS closed the gap between them and Castle Lager Premier Soccer League pacesetters CAPS United to three points following their 1-0 win over Chapungu at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday. Last year’s top goal scorer Knox Mutizwa took his season’s tally to four from five games after converting a 53rd minute penalty that collected maximum points for Bosso. Hwange-based referee Bonamali Bwanali, who had a good day, rightfully awarded Bosso the penalty and gave Chapungu captain Collin Kwaramba a red card for using his hands to parry a Rahman Kutsanzira’s goal-bound shot over the bar.

Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi had failed to deal with a seemingly harmless Benson Phiri cross from the right and the rebound fell to Kutsanzira, whose shot was blocked by Kwaramba, who was standing by the goal line.

The visitor’s coach John Nyikadzino accepted the defeat but lashed out at his skipper for conceding what he said was a “silly” penalty and red card. “A fair result was supposed to be a draw, but my captain conceded a silly penalty instead of just letting in a goal. “He cost us big time because I feel there was a lot of time to come back and fight but we lost because of that genuine penalty,” said Nyikadzino.

It was Highlanders, who had the first attempt at goal in the fourth minute when an effort by Mutizwa from a free-kick on the arch of the penalty box, hit the crossbar with Mazingi beaten.

Chapungu, whose game plan was to hold Bosso in the first half and attack them in the last stanza, had started the match well and could have gone into half time leading by two goals had their forwards been potent. In the eighth minute, Chapungu striker Tongai Magwendere used his power to shove off Highlanders defender Felix Chindungwe and came face-to-face with Bosso goalie Ariel Sibanda, but shot weakly into the keeper’s hands. Chapungu had another half chance in the 37th minute when out-of-form Bosso midfielder King Nadolo, lost the ball to Gift Phiri, who sent a through pass to Rodwell Mhlanga, who beat Honest Moyo before shooting into the side netting with the goal yearning.

The second half started with both sides making some good build-ups through the midfield. Chapungu controlled the game, especially in the midfield which they had congested, making it difficult for Bosso to penetrate them, until Kwaramba was sent off in the 53rd minute.

It was after the red card that Highlanders began to use their numerical advantage to open up Chapungu, but the airmen remained resolute and almost grabbed an equaliser through Gift Phiri in the 60th minute, but his long-range drive missed the target by inches.

At the stroke of full time, Mazingi made a fine save to deny Mutizwa, who had dribbled past a couple of Chapungu players.

Teams
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Benson Phiri, Honest Moyo, Tendai Ndlovu, Felix Chindungwe, Simon Munawa, King Nadolo (Brian Banda, 73rd minute), Rahman Kutsanzira, Adrian Silla (Danmore Chakwana, 85th minute), Prince Dube, Knox Mutizwa

Unused substitutes: Njabulo Nyoni, Erick Mudzingwa, Godknows Makaruse, Peter Muduhwa, Tendai Ngulube

Chapungu: Roy Mazingi, James Mukombwe, Hillary Mugoniwa, Collen Kwaramba, Blessing Zabula, William Ngonya, Gift Phiri, Cleopas Kapupurika, Agrippa Peperere (Patrick Khumbula, 46th minute), Rodwell Mhlanga (Phillip Marufu, 65th minute), Tongai Magwendere (Blessed Mbavarira, 55th minute)

Unused substitutes: Tafadzwa Mombeshora, Xolani Dube, Charles Mativenga, Stanley Chakwana