Hwange 0-3 Highlanders

Highlanders double scorer Knox Mutizwa controls the ball with his chest, shielding it away from a Hwange defender in a castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at the Colliery Stadium yesterday

KNOX Mutizwa scored a brace as Highlanders crushed Hwange in the last 13 minutes of the match to get their campaign in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League off to a flying start at the Colliery Stadium yesterday. The lethal Mutizwa got his first goal in the 85th minute with a cool finish after a lovely through ball by the overlapping Bruce Kangwa.

His second came on the stroke of fulltime when he banged home a delicate cross by the young and creative Prince Dube past Hwange goalkeeper London Zulu.

The enterprising Kangwa had opened the scoring for Bosso from close range in the 77th minute following a dazzling attack by the Bulawayo giants involving Mutizwa and substitute Dube.

The coalminers had looked resolute from the first whistle only to collapse like a deck of cards to leave their fans shell shocked. They started the match on the offensive with left back Munyaradzi Mungadze’s rasping effort off a curling corner kick from Tonisani Sibelo agonisingly sailing over the bar, with Highlanders’ goal minder Ariel Sibanda beaten.

Bosso’s first meaningful attack came in the 10th minute when a free-kick from the edge of the box by Mutizwa was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Zulu.

Ten minutes later, Highlanders again laid siege on the Hwange goal, but Zulu denied the slippery Mutizwa with another excellent save.

Not to be outdone, Hwange also pushed Bosso back and could have drawn first blood on the half hour mark after a good exchange of passes between new boy Pervington Zimunya and lanky striker Newman Sianchali, but the latter’s grounder went just wide.

On the stroke of half time, Andrew Tshuma’s full bloodied volley for Hwange deflected off Bosso midfielder Douglas Sibanda, but the keeper summoned all his reflexes to push the effort out.

The coalminers started the second half on the attack, but the final pass was a letdown and they were duly punished when Highlanders found their rhythm in the last quarter of the game. Hwange stand in coach Mabelo Njekwa was at pains to explain what befell his charges at the end of the game.

“We’d played well, but the boys collapsed in the last 15 minutes of the game to hand Highlanders the points. It’s the first game; we’ve to dust ourselves and be ready for the next challenge,” said Njekwa.

Bosso’s Dutch coach Erol Akbay was happy with the result, but said his charges simply have to play football if such results are to continue coming.

“The first half was bad and I don’t know what was happening, but the second half went well and we got the goals. These boys at times don’t want to play football and it’s surprising because they’ve to play football if results are to continue coming,” said Akbay.

Teams
Hwange: L Zulu; T Sibelo(F Vimisai 85th min); G Ndlovu; O Moyo; M Mungadze (D Boriwondo 73th min); C Muleya; A Tshuma; P Mpelele; I Mucheneka; N Sianchali; P Zimunya(G Zulu 80th min)

Highlanders: A Sibanda; F Chindungwe; B Kangwa; S Munawa; K Nadolo; T Ndlovu; D Sibanda(R Kutsanzira 72th min); H Moyo; B Phiri; R Matema( P Dube 56th min); K Mutizwa