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Defender Peter Muduhwa’s first half goal helped Highlanders maintain their grip at the top as they dismissed Manica Diamonds in a tepid Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
It was Highlanders’ fifth win on the trot and extends its 16-match unbeaten run which has seen nine wins and seven draws.
Muduhwa took advantage of a goalmouth melee in the 27th minute following an Andrew Mbeba free-kick, which was awarded after a foul on striker Lynoth Chikuhwa.
Coach Baltemar Brito dedicated the win to defender Godfrey Makaruse who picked a career-threatening injury at training on Thursday and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
“We won, it was a good performance against a good team that is well-coached. But if only we could exchange this victory for the good health of our player Godfrey, who got an injury last Thursday and is out for the rest of the season. We prefer to have the boy with us than the three points,” Brito said.
His opposite Jairos Tapera said they had played well despite the defeat.
“I think we did very well. We knew these guys were going to score a set-piece of some sort.
“We were prepared for it. But you know how football is, they got it because it was their day not that they were all over us. We were equally good. Defensively we were very organised,” Tapera said.
Highlanders dominated the visitors from the start and two minutes into the game, Chikuhwa should have scored but his weak shot did not trouble Manica goalkeeper Tedious Baye.
Then midfielder Brighton Manhire watched his header sail over the cross-bar from a corner-kick.
Baye rescued his side again in the 14th minute when he timely got to the end of Chikuhwa shot as the hosts continued their onslaught on Manica Diamonds.
The visitors, however, got their chance in the 19th minute, but midfielder Brett Amidu”s well-taken long range shot was well saved by goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda in the Bosso goal.
The second half did not produce much of action, with Manica Diamonds content to counter-attack, but found the Highlanders defence difficult to penetrate.
Teams:
Highlanders: A Sibanda, A Mbeba, A Faira, M Ndlovu, P Muduhwa, B Manhire, R Lunga (W Navaya 71′), M Mushore (P Ndlovu 90+2′), L Chikuhwa, M Ncube, E Farasi (Mason Mushore 89′)
Manica Diamonds: T Baye, L Masibhera, F Banda, T Chisi, T Mavhunga, J Takunda, L Chakoroma (P Manhanga 46′), B Amidu (T Chamboko 74′), G Bero (M Tapera 74′), D Ngoma (P Mtasa 57′), B Chikwenya (C Teguru 46′) NewsDay
