Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. HIGHLANDERS…….. 0
TELONE………….(1) 2
VICTORY continues to elude Highlanders as they lost to TelOne in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match in front of their multitudes of fans at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
It’s still one win for coach Try Ncube in eight games, with four defeats and three draws, but reports suggest that incoming coach Pieter de Jongh’s work permit has sailed through and starts work this week.
Even the return of star goalkeeper and captain Ariel Sibanda, who had been out with a long-term injury, couldn’t turn the tide for the home side.
TelOne’s Tawanda Macheke capitalised on a defensive blunder by Arthur Ndlovu in the ninth minute to put the visitors ahead.
Highlanders had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 72nd minute when referee Tichaona Mbire awarded them a penalty after a TelOne defender was judged to have handled the ball in the box.
However, Sibanda, a renowned penalty taker, had his low shot easily saved by TelOne goalkeeper Chris Mverechena.
The visitors’ victory was sealed in stoppage time when their top scorer, Washington Navaya, a former Highlanders player, added a second goal.
The goal prompted many disheartened Highlanders fans to leave the stadium before the final whistle.
TelOne coach Herbert “Jompano” Marowa expressed his delight after the match.
“I am happy with the boys after going two games without a win,” he said.
“We came to Bulawayo and picked up maximum points.
“We did our homework, knowing how Highlanders play.”
Ncube, the Highlanders stand-in coach, acknowledged the team’s struggles, noting that Sibanda’s return, with his experience, did not have the desired effect.
The first half was dominated by TelOne.
After their early goal, the WiFi Boys shifted to a more defensive stance, while Highlanders relied on sporadic and ineffective counter-attacks.
Early in the match, TelOne’s Navaya was brought down by Highlanders’ Luckmore Mutumbi just outside the box, earning the defender a caution.
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