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Ricky Zililo in BULAWAYO
Bulawayo City . . . . (0) 1
Highlanders . . . . . (0) 1
BULAWAYO City felt they were robbed of their first victory in the Castle Lager Premiership when assistant referee Nyarai Chirwa disallowed what appeared a genuine goal against Highlanders at Barbourfields yesterday. City, who fared much better than Highlanders, were unlucky not to draw first blood in the sixth minute through a Mkhokheli Dube header, which Chirwa controversially ruled out.

Dube headed in an Eddie Nkulungo cross from the right that had eluded a jittery Highlanders’ goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni, who was constantly troubled by aerial balls throughout the game.

Nyoni was a surprise inclusion ahead of regular shot stopper Ariel Sibanda.

City’s coach Philani Ncube, whose side equalised in the 90th minute, praised his charges for their fighting spirit.

“It was a balanced game, they had their chances in the first half and we also had ours. I think the goal we scored was genuine, but the assistant referee made an error by ruling it offside.

“She’s human and can make a mistake. I must say I’m happy with the positive attitude that we showed. I’m still within my target, which is number 10,” said Ncube.

Highlanders could have taken the lead in the fourth minute when youngster Prince Dube sent Bruce Kangwa through, but the newly converted winger shot weakly at City’s goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda in a one-on-one situation instead of picking his spot and slotting home.

City’s organised defence of Zibusiso Sibanda, Nyasha Mukumbi, Proud Zireni and Terrence Majo were rarely troubled by Bosso, with captain Xolisani Moyo, Innocent Kutsanzira and Eddie Nkulungo, making it difficult for Highlanders to play a passing game in midfield.

The municipal side started most of their moves from the back and remained calm under attack. Their defenders even had the nerve to dribble Bosso forwards in the penalty box.

“We knew that for us to contain them, we had to shut out King (Nadolo) and Bruce. Once we did that, they had to play the second ball and they were victims of our strategy,” said Moyo.

Nadolo was hardly given space and was forced to play deep and cover for defensive midfielder Simon Munawa, who often wandered from his position, leaving his central defenders exposed.

Nadolo’s only meaningful contribution in the first half was in the 36th minute when he dispossessed Moyo of the ball and sent a through pass to Knox Mutizwa, who blazed his effort over the bar.

A minute later City went on a counter attack, but Dube took long to shoot, giving Highlanders’ captain Felix Chindungwe time to clear his lines.

The goals finally came in the second half, with Kangwa scoring in the 75th minute after being fed by Prince Dube.

Highlanders sat back and were punished on the stroke of full-time when they failed to clear a Mkhululi Moyo corner and the ball found Manuel Mandiranga, who benefited from the melee in the Bosso box to blast the ball into the net and snatch a crucial point for City.

Highlanders’ coach Erol Akbay fumed at his players for conceding from a “stupid corner”.

Teams

Bulawayo City: N. Sibanda, P. Zireni, T. Majo, N. Mukumbi, Z. Sibanda, X. Moyo, E. Nkulungo, M. Moyo, H. Ncube (M. Mandiranga, 62nd min), I. Kutsanzira (W. Ndiweni, 75th min), M. Dube (L. Ncube, 84th min)

Highlanders: N. Nyoni, B. Phiri, H. Moyo, F. Chindungwe, T. Ndlovu, S. Munawa, R. Kutsanzira, B. Kangwa (G. Makarutse, 70th min), P. Dube, K. Mutizwa (E. Mudzingwa, 86th min), K. Nadolo (A. Silla)