Brandon Moyo in BULAWAYO
Highlanders………………………………………….(2) 2
CAPS United……………………………………………..0
HIGHLANDERS are back on top of the Castle Lager Premiership table after finding their winning form again with a comfortable win over CAPS United in the latest edition of the Battle of Cities at Barbourfields yesterday.
Bosso had collected just a single point, from a possible six, in their previous two games.
Two first half goals, which came within three minutes of each other, were all that Kelvin Kaindu’s men needed to collect maximum points on home soil.
Andrew Mbeba and Mckinnon Mushore were on target for the hosts.
Bosso looked the better of the two teams from the start and were rewarded with three points and a clean sheet.
There was one glaring ommission from the Higlanders starting line-up.
Their skipper, Ariel Sibanda, was benched for Raphael Pitisi, who managed to make an impact in his first match of this campaign.
There were starts for Prince Ndlovu and Mvelo Khoza as well.
Bosso were almost rewarded in the 12th minute when Andrew Mbeba tested Tonderai Mateyaunga with a free-kick.
The Makepekepe ‘keeper tipped the ball over the bar for a corner kick.
Mbeba would break the deadlock in the 25th minute, with a header, off a brilliant Khoza cross, to give Bosso the lead.
Four minutes later, Devine Mhindirira showed dribbled past a couple of CAPS United players before setting up Mushore, who calmly slotted home from close range to double Highlanders’ lead.
It would be the last goal of the match.
Seemingly under pressure, Lloyd Chitembwe was forced to make an early change.
In the 37th minute, Kingsley Mureremba replaced veteran Devon Chafa.
At the start of the second half, Makepekepe made a triple change.
Ralph Kawondera, Courage Sithole and Junior Bunjira come in for William Manondo, Phineas Bhamusi and Wayne Makuva just after the hour mark.
In the 66th minute, Pitisi denied veteran forward Lot Chiwunga.
Teams
Higlanders
Raphael Pitisi (gk), Mvelo Khoza, Archford Faira (Godfrey Makaruse, 63rd min), Andrew Mbeba, Peter Muduhwa, Melikhaya Ncube, Lynoth Chikuhwa, Mckinnon Mushore, Brighton Ncube (Mason Mushore, 65th min), Devine Mhindirira, Prince Ndlovu (Gillian Nyathi, 89 th min)
CAPS United
Tonderai Mateyaunga, Hastings Chapusha, Eric Manokore (Innocent Zambezi, 58th min), Bruce Kangwa, Godknows Murwira, Devon Chafa (Kingsley Mureremba, 37th min), William Manondo (Ralph Kawendera, 46th min), Phineas Bhamusi (Courage Sithole, 46th min), Wayne Makuva (Junior Bunjira 46th min), Rodwell Chinyengetere, Lot Chiwunga.