Payback time as Chikwata sends Bosso packing

Highlanders 0 - 0 Zimbabwe Saints
(Zimbabwe Saints win 6-5 on penalties.)
Zimbabwe Saints goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya was the hero of the day as Chauya Chikwata surprisingly bundled out pre-match favourites Highlanders out of the prestigious Mbada Diamonds Cup after a pulsating penalty shootout in a first round match before a sizeable crowd at the Colliery Stadium in Hwange yesterday.

The spot kicks lottery had to be decided on sudden death shootout after both teams had converted all their five spot kicks. Abraham Mubaiwa, Kevin Sibanda, Joel Nyama, Makhosi Ncube and and goalkeeper Diya scored for Chauya Chikwata while  Graham Ncube, Lawson Nkomo, Louis Matawu, Xolani Ncube and Gilbert Banda hit the back of the nets to keep Bosso in the hunt for silverware.

Then came the dreaded sudden death which left the vocal crowd in hushed silence.

Saints' Sydney Linyama coolly drove home his spot kick past a diving Ariel Sibanda leaving Highlanders' Innocent Mapuranga with all the pressure in the world to keep his team alive, but Diya had other ideas as he dived to his right to save Mapuranga's hard and low effort to leave the Saints in a frenzy.

While Saints, who are back under the guidance of caretaker coaches Edmore Sibanda and Jonathan Chikaponya for a second stint, were in delirium after the famous win it was all gloom for Bosso coach Mkhuphali Masuku who admitted that his side were punished for a glut of chances which they missed in regulation time.

Saints team manager Jabulani Chinyangarara was on cloud nine as he joined his players in the wild celebrations. "I am overjoyed with the result and as we declared earlier before the game we knew we were going to win the game. It's a big day for us," he said with a smile.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first but still a probing Highlanders frontline could not find the much needed goal.

Substitutes Vincent Nzombe and Rahman Kutsanzira could have grabbed early second half goals but missed while Diya kept his side in the game when he scooped Ncube's fine effort midway in the second half. Saints got only one realistic chance in the second half and as the match wore on under the scorching Hwange heat, Chauya Chikwata started to play for time as they sensed Highlanders frustration and it seemed they had all the confidence of winning the game on penalties.

The win will lift the spirits of the log-anchoring Saints who lost both league games to their city rivals.

Highlanders veteran defender Bekithemba Ndlovu was voted man of the match.