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Munyaradzi Musiiwa in Gweru
Whawha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1

Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

HIGHLANDERS were punished for missing a glut of chances including a penalty when they were beaten by Whawha in a Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at Ascot yesterday.

Knox Mutizwa blew away a chance to bring his team back into the match five minutes into the second half from the penalty spot after Kenneth Bhuka had handled inside the box but fired wide from the spot kick.

Highlanders started brightly forcing three shots on target in the first five minutes, threatening to overrun their opponents.

King Nadolo called Whawha goalkeeper Stanley Chakwana into action as early as the first minute with a long-range strike from the centre which the goalkeeper tipped over the bar.

Bosso captain Obediah Tarumbwa was guilty of failing to put his team into the lead in the 3rd minute when he got to the end of a rebound after Chakwana spilled a strike from Gabriel Nyoni but Tarumbwa lacked precision directing his effort over the bar. Highlanders continued to probe their opponents from all flanks but despite the persistent pressure they found themselves in arrears after Whawha capitalised on some sloppy defending when Njabulo Nyoni failed to deal with a cross from the right, allowing Nelson Maziwisa, who was lurking on the far side, to head the ball into the path of Bhuka to tap home.

Regardless of the set-back, spirited Highlanders continued piling pressure on the hosts, attacking from all flanks but were however, not precise in front of goal.

In the 37th minute Tarumbwa was again found wanting when he failed to do justice to a rebound from Nyoni’s strike which was also spilled by Chakwana and shot over the bar.

Whawha goalkeeper was the hero of the day as he denied Highlanders of close to 10 clear-cut chances and repelling almost all Bosso’s attempts at goal.

Highlander’s best chance of coming back into the game came five minutes into the second half when Bhuka handled inside the box and the visitors were awarded a penalty.

However, Highlanders’ leading goal scorer Mutizwa failed to convert from the spot, shooting wide.

Yesterday’s win, however, did not extricate Whawha as they are still in the relegation zone with the same number of points with ZPC Kariba, Flame Lily and Tsholotsho.

The victory against Highlanders was their fourth win of the season.

Whawha Coach Lloyd Mutasa still believes that his side stands a chance of surviving relegation. There was drama after the match as fuming Highlanders supporters who could not graciously accept defeat besieged the changing room baying for Mafu’s blood. Mafu had to be escorted by riot police to the team bus.