Wasteful Highlanders held by Herentals College
By Auther Chimbgwa
Highlanders played some beautiful football but failed to earn maximum points after Herentals College restricted the Bulawayo side to a 1-1 draw in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Match Day 10 clash played at Rufaro Stadium on Friday.
Star midfielder Mongameli Tshuma was in terrific form especially in the first half, but Never Rauzhi and Prince Ndlovu failed to do justice to his pinpoint passes that could on more than one occasion resulted in goals.
Rauzhi was the main culprit when, after a quarter of an hour, he was timely tackled inside the box by a Herentals defender after being fed by Tshuma when Highlanders fans were up on their feet just about to celebrate a goal.
In the 32nd minute, Tshuma, easily the man of the match, subtracted a cluster of Herentals defenders and teed up Prince Ndlovu, who again failed to convert his chance when it looked easier to score than to miss.
But the versatile player’s wizardry inside the box won forward Isaac Ngoma a penalty which he stroked home in the 38th minute.
Herentals, however, rallied back at the stroke of half time after Tinashe Mazambani cancelled out Ngoma’s effort when he headed home the rebound after keeper Aaron Ngwenya had parried out a corner kick.
Herentals thought they had won the game in the 46th minute when their player netted after a goal mouth melee inside Bosso’s box only for the assistant referee to flag him offside.
From then on, the match became a see-saw affair with both sides struggling to create clear cut opportunities.
Highlanders have now recorded eight draws, one win and one loss, and now have 11 points.
On the other end, Herentals now have 17 points after playing 10 games, five points adrift of log leaders Caps United.
They sit sixth on the league table, although things might significantly change following Saturday and Sunday’s fixtures.
