Bosso juggernaut continues, claims its 14th victim

THE Highlanders juggernaut continues to roll and in the process claimed its 14th victim when the Bulawayo giants pulverised Black Rhinos and consolidated their lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premiership soccer table in a lively match at Rimuka yesterday.

The Bulawayo giants warmed-up for next weekend's battle against old rivals Dynamos by firing three second half goals without reply against Black Rhinos to maintain their two-point lead over their nearest rivals Dynamos ahead of next weekend's crunch match at Barbourfields.

Bosso got their goals through Njabulo "JB" Ncube and a brace by Masimba Mambare. The Kelvin Kaindu-coached side created a little piece of history when they came out victors in this impregnable ground in which no team, including the mighty Dynamos, has won and scored as many games ended goalless.

Rhinos had not previously lost a match at Rimuka and their unbeaten home record started in June when they adopted the venue as their home ground which saw them playing six home games without a defeat, drawing four and winning two matches as they beat the Zvishavane-based sides Shabanie Mine and FC Platinuim with an identical 2-0 scorelines.

The army side, however, paid the price of not utilising their chances in the first half in yesterday's match in which they virtually camped in their opponents half but the chief culprit was Phillip Marufu.

The tactical plan devised so shrewdly by Kaindu in the second half worked in his side's favour. The introduction of super-sub Beaven Chikaka, who replaced Hilary Madzivanyika in the 46th minute, proved to be a good move as the fresh pair of legs wasted no time in making a contribution in the 54th and 73rd minute which saw Mambare grabbing his brace.

Chikaka first picked up a loose ball in the Rhinos half and his defence-splitting pass was collected by Mambare who made a spirited solo run on the right flank and his grounder beat keeper Herbert Rusawo all systems out in the 54th minute.

Mambare was at it again when he completed a double when he slammed home a searching cross from Chikaka from the right in the 73rd minute.

But it was veteran striker Njabulo Ncube who grabbed home Bosso's opening goal in the 41st minute when he headed home a Milton Ncube cross to become the first player to score for any visiting team against Rhinos at Rimuka.

The Rhinos defenders were to blame for this goal as they slept on duty, allowing Milton Ncube to flight the ball from the left flank.

Marufu could have pushed his side ahead in the 20th minute but he failed to slide home a Lot Chiwunga's cross.

That could have easily been a goal had he not hesitated to pull the trigger. Marufu was very unfortunate again in the 38th minute when his thunderous long drive was brilliantly saved by Bosso goalminder Munyaradzi Diya who had to use his legs to save it.

Teams
Black Rhinos: Hebert Rusawo, Brighton Chandisaita, Milton Kurewa, Jim Shadreck, Bruce Homela, Blessing Sunday, Brian Muzondiwa (Gilbert Mushangazhike 57min), Wonder Kapinda, Philip Marufu, Trust Machacha, Lot Chiunga, (Mine Martin 60min).

Highlanders: Tichaona Diya, Eric Mudzingwa, Bruce Kangwa, Innocent Mapuranga, Hillary Madzivanyika (Beavan Chikaka), Simon Munawa, Douglas Sibanda (Mthulisi Maphosa), Masimba mambare, Dumisani Ndlovu, Milton Ncube, Njabulo Ncube (Bruce Chuma).