GWERU - Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu called for patience from the club’s fans after Bosso’s disappointing goalless draw with Chapungu in their opening Castle Premiership 2014 season match at Ascot Stadium on Saturday.
Bosso were lucky to walk away with a point after Chapungu missed a glut of chances in the second half that left their coach John Nyikadzino fuming with anger at the final whistle.
Kaindu, who arrived in the country on the eve of the match, said: “I think we played well considering that we haven’t been playing in the off season.
“Slowly we are getting there and the performance was better than the previous matches and I am impressed.
“The supporters should allow the team to gel together without exerting much pressure on the players.”
Nyikadzino watched in disbelief as his side, which were making their return to the Premiership from Division One, waste chance after chance as they dominated Bosso.
“We should have collected three points in this match because we were clearly the better side in the second half in which we should have scored at least a goal,” said Nyikadzino.
“The draw is not a bad result though because it gives confidence to the players going into the next match.
“The players responded well and I am satisfied even though there are some areas that we need to work on since this was our first competitive match of the season.”
The draw was the first time that Highlanders had failed to win their opening match of the season under Kaindu.
In his first season in 2012, Bosso began the season by walloping Blue Rangers 4-0 at Barbourfields Stadium.
Last year, the Bulawayo giants beat Shabanie Mine 2-0 at Maglas Stadium with Ozias Zibande and Graham Ncube scoring.
Bosso started the match brightly winning the balls in the midfield where Kaindu had employed two grafters Mthulisi Maphosa and Eric Mudzingwa.
Milton Ncube forced a good save from Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi early only with a stinging long range shot from outside the box.
Three minutes later, Highlanders had another chance with Bruce Kangwa sending Gabriel Nyoni through but Mazingi was quick to come off his line to block the danger.
In those opening minutes, Chapungu were relying on counter attacks and could have opened the scoring when Brighton Mugoni won possession inside the box but his effort hit the cross bar.
After the breather, Nyikadzino made some telling changes which titled the game in the home side’s favour but they would go on to miss some glorious chances.
In the end both sides settled for a draw as there was no one who could break the deadlock.
Teams
Chapungu: Mazingi, Mabugu, Mbavarira, Kwaramba, Murisa, Mugoniwa, Mavhuto, Mwale Maheya, Mugoni, Mhlanga
Highlanders: Diya, Mapuranga, Munawa, Mapuranga, Ndlovu, Mudzingwa, Mutizwa, Maphosa, Nyoni, Kangwa, Sibanda