Bosso wins $130,000+, Dembare got $70,000

How Mine  0 - 3 Highlanders
HIGHLANDERS produced a dazzling performance to blaze past How Mine on their way to lifting the prestigious Mbada Diamonds Cup in an absorbing final played at a packed Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.

First-half strikes from Njabulo Ncube and man-of-the-match Peter "Rio" Moyo were complemented by a Masimba Mambare goal early into the second half, as Highlanders made up for missing out on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title on goal difference to Dynamos last Sunday by clinching the richest club competition on the domestic scene.

It was the first piece of silverware won by Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu since the Zambian signed up to coach his former club at the beginning of last season. Kaindu's contract with the Bulawayo club expires at the end of this year and yesterday's win should convince his bosses to put aside the frustration of playing second fiddle to fierce rivals Dynamos during a season in which they lost both league matches to How Mine and give the young coach another chance to achieve more with the club.

With their triumph yesterday Highlanders ended Dynamos' monopoly in the tournament as the Glamour Boys had won the first two editions of the tournament and in the process scored three goals, the highest number scored in the final.

The match started off at an electrifying pace with Highlanders the first to attack a minute into the encounter. A superb move involving Milton Ncube and Mambare saw Njabulo Ncube sent through inside the box and the burly striker's goal attempt brought the best out of How Mine goalkeeper

Ephraim Mazarura who managed to push the ball out for a corner.

How Mine came hunting for a goal in the sixth minute when Warren Dube's powerful left footer was saved by impressive Highlanders goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya.

Two minutes later Highlanders overlapping defender Bruce Tshuma's cross from the right found no takers in the How Mine box. Highlanders did not take the foot off the pedal and a minute later Njabulo Ncube saw his header from inside the box miss the target after another marvellous build-up between Moyo and Kangwa which saw the roving leftback cross the ball for Ncube.

Highlanders hit the target with 18 minutes played from a free-kick awarded to them outside the box. How Mine failed to deal with a Kangwa delivery with the ball falling for Bosso skipper Innocent Mapuranga who sent the ball into the How Mine box and again the gold miners could not clear the ball to safety and it kindly fell to Ncube who coolly slotted it into the back of the nets.

Eight minutes later, it was 2-0, Ncube this time around turning provider, shielding the ball well, laying it to Mambare who in turn set up an advancing Moyo who fired past Mazarura.

Highlanders could have gone into the half-time break leading 3-0  only for Mambare to shoot over the bar with a rising effort.

How Mine coach Philani Beefy Ncube who came into the final bubbling with so much confidence saw his plans go wrong and was forced to make a substitution seven minutes before the break, taking out Thembani Masuku for forward Simba Sithole.

Four minutes into the second period Highlanders added the third goal through Mambare and at that stage How Mine were as good as buried.

Ten minutes later Diya made a tremendous save to deny Sithole with the rebound dropped for Nqobile Mpala who unbelievably shot wide.

With Bosso assured of a win, Kaindu pulled out Tshuma because of injury and also took out Moyo and Milton Ncube with the trio's places taken up by Lawson Nkomo, Bhekimpilo Ncube and Mthulisi Maphosa.

How Mine had to make an injury-forced change with veteran defender Herbert Dick  probably playing his last match taken out for Arnold Ndiweni.

There were wild celebrations when referee Rugare Kusosa blew the final whistle with some overzealous fans not able to contain their excitement running onto the field of play to celebrate with the players.