BOSSO, GAMECOCKS IN GOAL DROUGHT! Barbourfields crowd left thirsty as derby fizzles out

Brandon Moyo,Zimpapers Sports Hub

THE much-hyped Bulawayo derby turned into a snoozefest as Highlanders and Chicken Inn played out a goalless draw at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday, leaving fans frustrated and hungry for goals.
The first half showed promise, with both sides creating decent chances, but the finishing boots were clearly missing. The second half, however, was a shadow of the first, with neither team able to shift gears or find a spark.

Bosso looked threatening early on. In the fifth minute, Mvelo Khoza let fly with a brilliant dipping shot that forced Donovan Bernard into a full-stretch save, tipping it over for a corner.
Chicken Inn replied moments later. Skipper Xolani Ndlovu whipped in a teasing cross from the left that found Brian Muza, but the striker failed to connect cleanly.

Muza was in the thick of things again in the eighth minute, meeting a superb ball from Genius Mutungamiri, only to steer his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.
In the 13th, Never Rauzhi pounced on a defensive lapse but was tackled inside the box just before pulling the trigger. Bosso kept knocking. In the 38th, Rauzhi backheeled a slick pass to Brighton Ncube, who skied his effort and drew gasps from the Soweto End.

A minute later, Muza tried his luck from outside the box but fired straight at Reward Muza who gathered comfortably.
The second half kicked off with a promising free kick for Bosso, but Andrew Mbeba curled his effort just wide. In the 52nd minute, George Majika unleashed a shot from range for the Gamecocks but missed the target.

Rauzhi came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 57th minute, hitting a powerful volley that forced Bernard into a desperate full-stretch save, but the ball dipped just over the bar.
In the 68th, Bosso substitute Marvin Sibanda whipped in a dangerous cross that Bernard fumbled before finally holding on. Moments later, Tendai Muvuti, with his very first touch, delivered a gem of a cross which Reason Sibanda headed wide under pressure.

Despite all the early promise and tactical shuffles, neither side could find the decisive touch, and the derby ended in a dull draw.

Starting XIs
Highlanders: Reward Muza (gk), Mvelo Khoza, Talent Dube, Brian Mlotshwa, Mckinnon Mushore (Marvin Sibanda, 66 mins), Melikhaya Ncube, Prince Ndlovu (Prince Ndlovu, 58 mins), Brighton Ncube (Tendai Muvuti, 81 mins), Andrew Mbeba, Never Rauzhi, Hubert Ncube (Darlington Munkuli, 58 mins)

Chicken Inn: Donovan Bernard (gk), Lincoln Mangaira, Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Itai Mabhunu, Xolani Ndlovu, Dominic Jaricha, Michael Charamba (Walter Vuwa, 77 mins), Brian Muza (Kumbirai Mutenha, 66 mins), Brendon Renydo, Genius Mutungamiri (Tinashe Mushaireni, 66 mins), George Majika (Edward Musena, 77 mins)

Next time, the City of Kings derby owes the fans fireworks.

 

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