Story by Mthokozisi Dube
BULAWAYO giants Highlanders ended Scottland’s nine-match Castle Lager Premier Soccer League winning streak with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
The win handed the defending champions and league leaders their first defeat in 10 league matches as Bosso produced a disciplined performance to claim maximum points.
Highlanders took the lead in the 25th minute when Mongameli Tshuma split the Scottland defence before setting up Benjamin Adeogun, who calmly beat Nelson Chadya for his seventh goal of the season.
Adeogun nearly doubled Bosso’s advantage a minute later after capitalising on a defensive lapse, but Scottland escaped further punishment.
Scottland returned from the break in search of an equaliser, but their task became more difficult when defender Kelvin Moyo was sent off for bringing down Reason Sibanda on the edge of the penalty area.
Andrew Mbeba’s resulting free-kick was blocked by the defensive wall, while Brighton Ncube missed a late opportunity to seal the victory after Chadya made the save.
Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari praised his players for executing the game plan.
“The boys are playing so well, and today the fans are happy after the three points. Winning against Scottland is a good result for us because they have quality in all departments,” he said.
Scottland coach Norman Mapeza said his side would learn from the defeat.
“It’s not the end of the day. We were not at our best, but we will take the lessons and move on,” he said.
Elsewhere, Triangle United marked the start of the Genesis Mangombe era with a 2-1 victory over Hardrock, while Dynamos and Simba Bhora played out a goalless draw at Rufaro Stadium.
