The Sunday Mail
Ishemunyoro Chingwere in Ngezi
Ngezi Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Highlanders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 4
The famed Cremora advert declared “It’s not inside, it’s on top!” And that is exactly where Bosso are.
An impressive Highlanders shot to the apex of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after recording their fourth victory of the season at the Baobab yesterday.
And what a victory it was.
New kid on the block Prince Dube scored a brace while Eric Mudzingwa and Rahman Kutsanzira weighed in with one apiece as the visitors left Ngezi Platinum for dead. Substitute Washington Pakamisa scored Ngezi Platinum’s consolation.
Bosso’s emphatic victory had their Dutch coach Errol Akbay bragging.
“We have to win every match we play because we are Highlanders,” he said. “I am happy that Caps United lost and that means even if FC Platinum win tomorrow (today) we will not be far from the top. Highlanders are a big club and must play for nothing but the championship.”
Highlanders are now on 13 points, the same as Caps United who lost to How Mine yesterday, and FC Platinum who play Dynamos this afternoon.
They assumed top position ahead today’s round of matches courtesy of a superior goal difference, and if yesterday’s performance is anything to go by this iconic side will have a say in the championship race.
Highlanders played with swagger, panache and pace.
For Ngezi Platinum it was their second consecutive defeat at the Baobab and coach Clifton Kadurira was left ruing defensive blunders.
“We conceded soft goals and the first one came too early,” said Kadurira, referring to Dube’s 12th minute strike. I don’t want to blame anyone because losing is part of the game, we have to go back to the drawing board and find a winning formula,” he said.
Ngezi Platinum are yet to win at their neatly constructed stadium and they remain on seven points after six matches.
Highlanders came out guns blazing and Kadurira’s charges could not withstand the frantic pace with which the visitors bombarded their goal.
The Bosso faithful were celebrating after only 12 minutes of play.
Kutsanzira and Knox Mutizwa combined well before the former spread the ball to Dube who beat Ngezi ‘keeper Tinashe Matore at the near post.
Bosso were 2-0 up in the 28th minute when defender Mudzingwa scrambled the ball home after a goalmouth melee.
Ngezi Platinum reduced the arrears in the 45th minute through Pakamisa’s header but 15 minutes after restart, Kutsanzira put the game beyond the hosts with a fortuitous strike.
Dube completed his brace in the 68th minute.
Ngezi Platinum were awarded a penalty 13 minutes from time but their star player Innocent Sokosi blasted the ball over the bar to sum up a miserable day in the office.
Teams
Ngezi Platinum: T Matore, K Murera, P Titus, K Machena, D Tavari, J Marufu, T Mabvura (D Kamunenga, 74’), Z Mhanda (D Teguru, 63’), I Sokosi, J Nguluve (W Pakamisa, 29’), E Katema
Highlanders: A Sibanda, R Kutsanzira, S Munawa (K Nadolo, 61’), K Mutizwa (R Matema, 80’), B Kangwa (A Silla, 72’), P Dube, T Ndlovu, F Chindungwe, H Moyo, E Mudzingwa, B Phiri
