By Milton Mashasha.
Tsholotsho FC……………(1) 1
Highlanders FC………….(1) 2
Highlanders FC fought back hard to beat the host stubborn Tsholotsho FC 2-1 in a match played on the 24th of April at Barbourfields.
The two teams met for the third time in a premier soccer league fixture since the promotion of the Tsholotsho based outfit into the top flight league.In the first encounter of the 2015 season Highlanders won by a solitary goal 1-0 whilst in the reverse fixture Bosso won again by a 2-1 goal margin just like what they did in the third round of the 2016 premier soccer league match on Sunday the 24th at Barbourfields stadium.
The match started in a blistering pace,both sides sizing each other but Highlanders settled just few minutes after the resumption of the match.Surprisingly Tsholotsho FC caught them on the break,à Tsholotsho player was fouled just outside the Bosso 18 yards area.The underrated Tsholotsho FC skipper William Sitimà took the responsibility to take the free kick.He took it coolly and it looked harmless,but the Bosso goalkeeper Aerial Sibanda bundled the ball into his own net in a situation where he should had done better to punch the ball into safety.The naughty boys as the Tsholotsho FC are popularly known took the lead 1-0 in the 4th minute of play.
Highlanders FC wake from their slumber and applied pressure after conceding a priceless goal and their pressure paid off after King Nadolo cleverly chipped the ball into Tsholotsho FC crowded box.The ball eluded the Tsholotsho defenders and was met by the Bosso hitman Knox Mutizwa who made a timely run causing confusing among the Tsholotsho backline he slotted the ball home in the 6th minute from close range to beat the Tsholotsho keeper to level terms (1-1).
Highlanders FC started to pull the strings after their equaliser,playing entertaining football in the middle of the park.Tsholotsho fc crowded their midfield and they only relied on counter attacks through the veteran Joel Lupahla who was the main man to initiate those moves using his speed to tear apart the Bosso midfield spreading split passes either to Mostafa Ponyerà or to Dylan Chivandire who were causing all sorts of problems to the Bosso rear guard.The Tsholotsho defence which was marshalled by their skipper William Sitima,Thandolwenkosi Ncube,Mclive Phiri and Moyo were always equal to the task closing the attempted moves by the Bosso attack.The match went to half time in a 1-1 score line.
In the 50th minute Bruce Kangwa received a through pass,beat the Tsholotsho defender ràn into the 18 yards box facing the Tsholotsho keeper but failed to beat the keeper face to face,who punched the ball back into play and the rebound was met by young Adrian Silla who agonisingly shot wide.
In the 57th minute the Tsholotsho forward Mostafa Ponyera initiated the attack spotted his striking partner Dylan making à run into the Bosso penalty area intelligently laid the ball to him,a cheeky back heel from Chivandire Dylan failed to beat the alert Bosso goal minder Aerial Sibanda who saved the slicky goal attempt.
It was the super substitute young Prince Dube who come in for another youngster Adrian Silla.In a space of 3 minutes after his introduction, a smooth built up by the Highlanders FC players,King Nadolo received the ball and laid to Knox Mutizwa and the latter spotted an unmarked Prince Dube who drove a hard and low shot to beat the Tsholotsho goalkeeper,sending the Highlanders fans into a dancing and singing jovial mood.Bosso took the 2-1 lead in the 63rd minute.
Tsholotsho FC threatened the Highlanders goal area on numerous occasions especially after the introduction of Simbarashe Gorogodyo for the veteran Joel Lupahla.Simbarashe was a thorn in the flesh for Bosso players,many fouls were committed by Bosso players just outside their 18 area as they were trying to contain the marauding Tsholotsho attackers.Tsholotsho was very unlucky not to level terms.Aerial Sibanda was the saviour for the Bulawayo giants,he made two crucial saves from Tsholotsho set pieces.
The trusted Erol Akbay’s defence which was led by their captain Felix Chidungwe,Tendai Ndlovu,Benson Phiri and Honest Moyo stood firm to maintain their lead.Tsholotsho FC sent a broad message to the premier soccer league teams that they are no push overs,they faired well against Highlanders and sometimes they were all over them,their midfield is very compact and mobile,they dominated possession on numerous occasions and they controlled the ball well in the middle of the park with their steady defensive man who was on top of the situation.
The match ended in a 1-2 Bosso who were the away team at their home ground being the victors against the Lizwe Svosve coached side Tsholotsho FC whom they thought were hard done by the referee of the afternoon Hardly Dazi who ruled what looked like a clear goal but was ruled offside.Furthermore on two occasions firstly the Tsholotsho player seemed was clearly impided by the Bosso defender in the 18 area but was yellow carded for simulation.Secondly in the dying stages of the match the Bosso skipper Felix looked like to have fouled the Tsholotsho forward in the box but the referee waved play on.It was a second win for Erol Akbay in 3 matches despatching Hwange away 3-0 and losing to FC Platinum in a 2-1scoreline.
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