Sports / Local
Buffaloes lucky to draw with Bosso
24 Apr 2012 at 03:48hrs | Views
Bufaloes 1 - 1 Highlanders
Bufaloes were lucky to escape with a point after visitors Highlanders fluffed numerous chances they created especially in the second half and settled for a draw in an entertaining Castle Lager Premiership match at Sakubva yesterday.
Tshilamoya salvaged a point towards the end of the second half through Beavan Chikaka as the hosts had defender and man of the match Themba Ndlovu to thank for playing his heart out to shut out the marauding Bosso strikers.
The Bulawayo giants coach Kelvin Kaindu's fine start to the 2012 season was almost dented after the Mutare league returnees showed clear intentions of grabbing maximum points in the early stages of this encounter.
With more precision, Buffaloes' opening goal could have come early in the 12th minute when striker Beaven Chirere capitalised on poor communication between Highlanders defenders Eric Mudzingwa and Innocent Mapuranga but put his effort went wide off the target.
A minute later diminutive Phineas Bhamusi had his thunderbolt parried out for a corner.
Highlanders also created some scoring chances and the most notable came in the 20th minute when impressive Bruce Kangwa's blistering effort was equaled in artistry by talented Buffaloes goalkeeper Tapuwa Mafunga.
However, Buffaloes had an upset in their sight when lanky defensive linkman Prosper Matizanadzo rose highest to head home Dananai Chinowawa's cross and propelled his team into the lead.
The Mutare army side were now literally camped in Highlanders half and created a number of clearcut scoring chances but their strikers lacked precision in front of goal.
If they played second fiddle in the opening spell, Bosso turned the tables in the second half and forced Buffaloes onto the back foot.
The hosts had defender and man-of-the match Themba Ndlovu to thank for playing his heart out to shut out the marauding Bosso strikers.
The former Motor Action and Eastern Lions defender stuck to the basics by clearing his lines and displayed great composure despite playing with a porous midfield that was dominated by their opponents.
Buffaloes seemed to be absorbing everything that the visitors were throwing at them.
They were clearly being outplayed in the midfield thus second half substitute Chikaka finally drilled home from close range after a goalmouth melee in the 63rd minute.
Kaindu noted that his team did not play its usual game owing to the bumpy surface at Sakubva.
His counterpart, Saul Chaminuka, who earlier on angered the home crowd when he withdrew hardworking striker Roy Mwenga, blamed his charges for a poor showing in the second half.
Teams:
Buffaloes: T Mafunga; D Chinowawa; J Jambo; P Alfasi; T Ndlovu; P Matizanadzo; E Dzumbunu (T Mapara 72nd minute); P Chandisaita; P Bhamusi (L Katongomara 69th minute); B Chirere; R Mwenga (S Nkata 83rd minute):
Highlanders: A Katsande; E Mudzingwa; I Mapuranga; M Mambare; M Maphosa; P Moyo (B Chikaka 46th minute); S Munawa; G Ncube; M Ncube; B Kangwa; B Tshuma
Bufaloes were lucky to escape with a point after visitors Highlanders fluffed numerous chances they created especially in the second half and settled for a draw in an entertaining Castle Lager Premiership match at Sakubva yesterday.
Tshilamoya salvaged a point towards the end of the second half through Beavan Chikaka as the hosts had defender and man of the match Themba Ndlovu to thank for playing his heart out to shut out the marauding Bosso strikers.
The Bulawayo giants coach Kelvin Kaindu's fine start to the 2012 season was almost dented after the Mutare league returnees showed clear intentions of grabbing maximum points in the early stages of this encounter.
With more precision, Buffaloes' opening goal could have come early in the 12th minute when striker Beaven Chirere capitalised on poor communication between Highlanders defenders Eric Mudzingwa and Innocent Mapuranga but put his effort went wide off the target.
A minute later diminutive Phineas Bhamusi had his thunderbolt parried out for a corner.
Highlanders also created some scoring chances and the most notable came in the 20th minute when impressive Bruce Kangwa's blistering effort was equaled in artistry by talented Buffaloes goalkeeper Tapuwa Mafunga.
However, Buffaloes had an upset in their sight when lanky defensive linkman Prosper Matizanadzo rose highest to head home Dananai Chinowawa's cross and propelled his team into the lead.
The Mutare army side were now literally camped in Highlanders half and created a number of clearcut scoring chances but their strikers lacked precision in front of goal.
The hosts had defender and man-of-the match Themba Ndlovu to thank for playing his heart out to shut out the marauding Bosso strikers.
The former Motor Action and Eastern Lions defender stuck to the basics by clearing his lines and displayed great composure despite playing with a porous midfield that was dominated by their opponents.
Buffaloes seemed to be absorbing everything that the visitors were throwing at them.
They were clearly being outplayed in the midfield thus second half substitute Chikaka finally drilled home from close range after a goalmouth melee in the 63rd minute.
Kaindu noted that his team did not play its usual game owing to the bumpy surface at Sakubva.
His counterpart, Saul Chaminuka, who earlier on angered the home crowd when he withdrew hardworking striker Roy Mwenga, blamed his charges for a poor showing in the second half.
Teams:
Buffaloes: T Mafunga; D Chinowawa; J Jambo; P Alfasi; T Ndlovu; P Matizanadzo; E Dzumbunu (T Mapara 72nd minute); P Chandisaita; P Bhamusi (L Katongomara 69th minute); B Chirere; R Mwenga (S Nkata 83rd minute):
Highlanders: A Katsande; E Mudzingwa; I Mapuranga; M Mambare; M Maphosa; P Moyo (B Chikaka 46th minute); S Munawa; G Ncube; M Ncube; B Kangwa; B Tshuma
Source - chronicle
