Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. VETERAN goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda rewound the hands of time as his heroics in the penalty shootouts catapulted Highlanders into the Chibuku Super Cup semi-finals at Barbourfields Stadium against Scottland yesterday.
The fans were treated to a spellbinder at the Mecca of Zimbabwe football as the match had to be decided by the penalty lottery following a four-goal thriller in regulation time.
Scottland would feel they let slip a game that was on their hands, both in regulation time and the penalty lottery.
They blew a two-goal lead, and goalkeeper Talbert Shumba stood tall, saving Bosso’s first two penalty kicks and his team scoring their first, while Sibanda brought Bosso back into the match, saving three penalty kicks, and one was missed.
Ronald Pfumidzai scored the first one for Mabviravira, but Terrence Dzukamanja, Moses Shidolo, Albert Manenji, and Godknows Murwira all missed, with Shidolo’s effort striking the upright.
For Highlanders, Malvern Hativagoni and Malvern Sibanda missed the first two, while Melikhaya Ncube and young Prince Ndlovu found the target.
Scottland settled into the match early and dominated the proceedings.
They were duly rewarded when Kingsley Mureremba scored a brilliant goal that beat a diving Ariel, bouncing once and nestling into the bottom corner after eight minutes of action.
Bosso tried to regroup to salvage the situation.
They almost equalised when Benjamin Adeogun beat an offside trap to turn and shoot, but Talbert Shumba was alert to thwart his effort in the 18th minute.
With Highlanders pushing more numbers in search of the equaliser, Never Rauzhi lost possession, and Mthokozisi Msebe quickly released Khama Billiart.
The Zimbabwe Warriors winger controlled the ball, took a few steps forward, and curled a beauty that beat Sibanda all systems out.
Scottland 2-0, read the scoreline after 33 minutes.
Bosso looked down and out.
With the halftime break looming, Bosso’s persistence finally paid off when new signing Martin Nhubu flighted a cross from a well-worked corner kick that was nodded home by fellow debutant Learnmore Muyambo, as he planted a firm header inside the box, rendering Shumba a mere spectator in the 37th minute.
At 2-1, it was game on, and as the two teams headed to the break, Bosso were on the ascendency.
A double substitution at the break added impetus to coach Peter De Jongh’s men as they laid siege to the Scottland goal, but lady luck deserted them.
With Scottland running down the clock, it all seemed as if the visitors were going to run away with it.
However, when Brian Mlotshwa scored a disallowed goal after 86 minutes, there was crowd trouble and a brief stoppage in the game.
When play resumed, Highlanders punished Scottland’s lapse in concentration as a well-worked move involving Mason Mushore and Ndlovu resulted in a cross that Andrew Mbeba controlled and beat a cluster of defenders before firing home.
The goal sparked wild celebrations, and Bosso headed to the shootouts with a psychological boost in the 90th minute.
De Jongh felt Scottland dominated the first half, and his boys came into the party in the second half.
“The game was in two phases. First half, Scottland was the better team; they controlled the midfield,” he said.
“They led 2-0; we responded with a goal from a corner kick to make it 2-1… Then we changed to play 1-4-3-3. We had control and pushed them back.”
Tonderai Ndiraya, the Scottland coach, said the defeat was a painful one for them.
“It was an interesting match, very interesting from the terraces, four goals scored today. But from a technical end, especially for ourselves, it was a very painful defeat. A painful way to exit this very important cup.
“We had hoped to push and fight on two fronts. In all fairness, we had a very good first half, and that’s why we scored two goals, but in those moments, we lost concentration and conceded, giving away a free header,” he said.
In the other match played yesterday, MWOS FC beat Bikita Minerals 3-1.
Teams
Highlanders: A Sibanda, A Ndlovu, M Ncube, M Hativagoni, A Mbeba, M Mushore (B Mlotshwa, 83’), N Rauzhi (T Muvuti, 83’), L Mutumbi (A Nyondo, 70’), M Nhubu (P Ndlovu, 46’), L Muyambo (D Mukuli, 46’), B Adeogun
Scottland: T Shumba, P Muduhwa, G Murwira, M Chigumira, R Pfumidzai, M Shidolo, K Mureremba, V Kawe (A Manenji, 79’), K Billiart (T Machope, 68’), M Msebe (M Tapera, 59’), M Chihweta (T Dzukamanja, 59’)
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