Bosso relegation looms, Kaindu was better

Highlanders 1-1 Manica Diamonds

Highlanders' hopes of surviving relegation suffered a major blow yesterday after they surrendered a first-half lead to draw 1-1 with Manica Diamonds in a tense Castle Lager Premiership clash at Barbourfields Stadium.

The result leaves both teams level on 38 points — the same tally as Dynamos, who also drew away to Yadah — setting up a nerve-racking final day next weekend. Bosso now face city rivals Chicken Inn, also on 38 points, in what could be a winner-takes-all showdown for survival.

Highlanders appeared in full control after a dominant first half, but a costly error from goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda in the second period gifted Manica Diamonds an equaliser, leaving the hosts to lament missed chances and a loss of focus.

Playing under light drizzle, Bosso started strongly, winning an early corner and piling pressure on the visitors. However, forward Never Rauzhi's wasteful finishing frustrated fans, who were already calling for his substitution within the opening quarter of an hour.

Manica Diamonds threatened first when Kudzanai Dhemere forced Sibanda into a sharp save in the 12th minute. At the other end, Bosso's fluid interplay between Archford Faira and Rauzhi created openings, but poor finishing kept the score level.

The home side's appeals for a penalty in the 20th minute were dismissed after Farai Banda appeared to handle an Andrew Mbeba cross. Moments later, Rauzhi's teasing delivery caused panic in the Manica defence, forcing goalkeeper Geoffrey Chitsumba and Clive Dzingai into a desperate clearance.

Highlanders' persistence was finally rewarded in the 31st minute. Melikhaya Ncube drove forward and cleverly teed up Mbeba, whose low cross found Ncube again to slot home and give Bosso a deserved 1-0 lead at halftime.

The visitors came out rejuvenated after the break. Tinotenda Musariranwa missed a sitter in the 53rd minute, heading over from close range, while Rauzhi squandered a golden chance to double Bosso's lead shortly afterward.

Manica Diamonds made them pay in the 65th minute. Sibanda misjudged a routine ball, spilling it into the path of substitute Evans Katema, who tapped in to make it 1-1.

Highlanders thought they had regained the lead minutes later when Tendai Muvuti bundled home a Mbeba cross, but the referee disallowed the goal for a foul on the keeper. Chitsumba then produced a brilliant double save to deny Muvuti and Mbeba in the 77th minute.

Bosso pushed hard in the dying stages, with Brighton Ncube combining well with Reason Sibanda, only for the latter to fire wide. Their best chance came in stoppage time when Reason ballooned his effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

After the match, a visibly frustrated Highlanders coach Pieter de Jongh lamented his team's inability to finish the job.
"It's a disappointing result because we controlled 80–85 minutes of the game. We created chances, but the second goal didn't come. One mistake, and it's 1-1. We dropped two points. There was one team that played football, and that was us," said de Jongh.

Manica Diamonds coach Tafadzwa Mashiri was pleased with his side's discipline.
"We stuck to our game plan. We knew Highlanders have passionate fans, and I told the boys to stay calm. They did just that and got the result we needed," he said.

With one match remaining, both sides remain in danger, sitting just above the drop zone. For Highlanders, it was another painful reminder of squandered opportunities; for Manica Diamonds, a hard-fought point that could prove crucial in the survival race.