Highlanders fire warning shots

BULAWAYO - There was a time when the "it's not inside it's on top" catch phrase from a powdered milk TV commercial was synonymous with Bulawayo giants Highlanders.

Those were the days when Bosso were trailblazers in the local top flight league, prompting their fans to brag that they were chart-toppers.

Highlanders' big win over Blue Rangers in their opening match of the season on Sunday must have left the Bosso faithful convinced that the good days are back as Kelvin Kaindu's team shot to the top the 16-team Castle Premiership log standings after week one action.

It has been a long time since Highlanders played with such a swashbuckling character.

The class of 2012 turned back the clock and played confidently especially during the second half.

This performance came against the backdrop of a string of unconvincing friendly matches and many a Bosso fan must have doubted Kaindu's team selection when the players took up their positions at the beginning of the match.

Midfield workhorse Eric Mudzingwa lined up alongside captain Innocent Mapuranga in central defence while attacking midfielder Peter Rio Moyo took up a position on the right wing while Milton Ncube was thrust into a striking role alongside Graham Ncube.

Mudzingwa had in Highlanders' friendly against Chapungu lacked positional discipline when partnering Mapuranga at the back, Rio Moyo is more comfortable in central midfield, and Milton had not played upfront for a long time after being converted into a left-back at his former club Motor Action.

For some time in the early stages of the game, it seemed like Bosso fans were in for another disappointing afternoon as the team struggled to find its rhythm but Milton Ncube's opener after 10 minutes helped settle nerves.

Milton may have scored the goals but the Highlanders central midfield partnership of new anchorman Mthulisi Maphosa and Simon Munawa must be credited with steering Bosso to victory.

Maphosa's positional sense proved crucial at times when Mudzingwa strayed off position while Munawa's huge work rate covered up for wide midfielders Moyo and Bhekimpilo Ncube, who took some time to settle.

Former Windermere striker Milton displayed the instincts of a good striker with his first time shots and Highlanders may have found the answer to their goal scoring problems as all his goals had the marks of a true goal poacher.

His first goal was a volley from outside the Blue Rangers penalty box while his second was a quick turn and shoot from inside the box, but his best was yet to come as he acrobatically connected onto a Bruce Kangwa cross to complete his hattrick.

It is however, in the midfield where Highlanders are at their strongest and Kaindu had to play the skilful Rio Moyo on the right wing to accommodate ball winners Munawa and Maphosa in central midfield while Bheki Ncube fitted in at left wing.

Former Highlanders junior Rio took some time to adjust to his new position but eventually found his feet and thrilled fans with his close ball control and dribbling skills while Bheki Ncube later made way for Kangwa.

Kaindu also made sure that he gave a run to his fringe players when the game was safe and one such player, Ozias 'Ozizi' Zibande, must have given himself a big confidence boost after grabbing Bosso's fourth goal in the dying stages of the game.

Highlanders will meet FC Platinum in Week Two of the Premiership and that encounter will serve as a litmus test for Kaindu's charges and give fans an indication of how the team is likely to fare this season.

The Zambian coach is on record saying there is a lot that still needs to be done in terms of playing style, but he certainly will be breathing easier after a convincing win for his charges in their first match of the season.