Bosso through to Chibuku Cup semi-finals

Highlanders 3 - 1 How Mine
Felix Chindungwe's header in the first half helped Highlanders thump city rivals How Mine 3-1 in a fiercely contested  Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final match played at Hartsfield Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.

The victory meant an instant turnaround in fortunes for the Kevin Kaindu-coached team, who last week endured a humiliating 1-4 defeat by arch rivals Dynamos in the TM Pick 'n' Pay Challenge Cup at the National Sports Stadium in the capital.

Kaindu was delighted with the victory.

"We played very well and it was a good response from last week's performance and the guys worked hard and everyone was looking for a win," said Kaindu.

"We are now in the semis and that is a good step forward for us because How Mine are a difficult opponent."

Chikurupati, who are now under the tutelage of seasoned gaffer Luke 'Vahombe' Masomere, started off the better team and nearly went ahead on the quarter hour mark when Wonder Sithole forced a remarkable save from Bosso captain and goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.

That close shave jolted Bosso into action and the Bulawayo giants took the lead in the 28th minute when defensive midfielder Chindungwe rose above everyone in the box to head in a perfectly executed Joel Ngodzo free-kick, torching wild celebrations in the stadium.

The dreadlocked midfielder, who shot to prominence as a defender before being handed the linkman's role by Kaindu, was back again after five minutes, but this time saw his ferocious shot miss the crossbar by mere inches.

After the interval, Masomere pulled out striker Godfrey Nguwodzawo for mid-season recruit Mandla Sibanda, who used to play in the Botswana BeMobile league, to add urgency upfront in the 55th minute.

But it was Highlanders who doubled their lead soon after when lanky central defender Dumisani Ndlovu scored his first goal in a black and white shirt. Ndlovu took advantage of some sloppy marking from the gold miners' defence to head in a Charles Sibanda corner kick and give Bosso the much needed two goal cushion in the 56th minute.

Both teams then made changes with Bosso bringing on Pasca Manhanga for Simon Munawa, while Chikurupati brought on Thembani Masuku for Sithole.

With time running out and How Mine battling to find a way back into the game, Highlanders wrapped up the contest when top goalscorer Charles Sibanda converted a spot kick.

Sibanda had actually won the penalty after he was brought down in the box by George Magariro.

Two minutes later, the miners reduced the deficit when striker Kudakwashe Musharu headed in unmarked at the far post.

Bosso coach Kaindu then handed Tapiwa Dephistatra his Highlanders debut, sending on the midfielder for a tiring Joel Ngodzo with 18 minutes still to play. Masomere also made a change, replacing Edmore Muzanenhamo with Emmanuel Mandiranga.

However, Bosso's defence remained steadfast as the Bulawayo giants saw out their city rivals for a deserved victory and a place in the last four of the prestigious cup competition.

How Mine coach Masomere blamed his porous backline for the loss, saying they should work more on their positioning and marking.

"It was definitely a good game but unfortunately we conceded soft goals and that is where our main problem is because we also conceded the same number of goals in our last game," he said.

The defeat was the second for How Mine in four games against Highlanders this year, and Masomere, who claims to be building a team that will challenge for the league title next year, will now turn his attention to the league programme which is expected to resume this week.