By OnSport Reporter
Highlanders FC conceded the highest number of goals this season, frustratingly playing at home against a spirited Simba Bhora at Barbourfields Stadium, raising questions on the club’s goalkeeping department.
Bosso suffered a 3-2 defeat to the reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions.
The defeat was a second on the trot at home for the Bulawayo giants after falling to Herentals before the international break.
The club has utilised all three goalkeepers; Raphael Pitisi, Reward Muza, and captain Ariel Sibanda this season.
Pitisi was in charge yesterday, and he and his defence are culpable for all the three goals conceded, even though coach Kelvin Kaindu stood by his goalkeeper.
Pitisi, who made two errors at the start of the season against MWOS in the 1-0 loss and 2-2 against Green Fuel, was benched, and Sibanda was given the opportunity.
However, Sibanda was also suspect in the goal conceded against Triangle United (1-1) in an away fixture.
Muza then took over but after conceding two goals against ZPC Kariba (2-1) at Nyamhunga Stadium, he was benched for Pitisi in the home fixture against Herentals.
In that match, miscommunication between Pitisi and Arthur Ndlovu resulted in Ralph Kawondera capitalising to score the crucial goal for the Students.
Now, Kelvin Kaindu could be in a dilemma on the team’s first-choice goalkeeper as they travel to Mutare to face Manica Diamonds on Wednesday, as all three goalkeepers have been given a chance and appeared to struggle.
After yesterday’s defeat, Kaindu said they have full confidence in their goalkeepers, shouldering the blame off an unconvincing Pitisi, who perhaps could have done better with the first and third goals conceded.
“These are the goalkeepers that we have. Of course, by rotating them, we are creating competition. It’s just unfortunate that today we conceded three this afternoon, which is the highest this season. In terms of the third goal, we could have delayed a bit because we were in possession, but we lost the ball, and they capitalised. Like I said, it was all about these small mistakes that the opponents capitalised on,” said Kaindu.
After the 2-2 draw against Green Fuel, Kaindu expressed concern with the goals conceded by Pitisi, saying, “It is a very painful draw; I would say it is two points dropped. Two big mistakes in three games from a goalkeeper who has been with the national team are not expected, but we understand it was not his intention. It’s early, and we hope to learn from that, but it will be painful if it’s a game that takes your championship away.”
Highlanders have conceded 13 goals this season in 15 matches played. Pitisi has kept the goal in seven matches and conceded eight. Muza has played seven matches and conceded four.
Meanwhile, Sibanda conceded one goal in one match.
Pitisi’s average stands at 1.1 goals per match, meaning he concedes at least one goal per match. Muza’s average stands at 0.57 goals per match, meaning he concedes approximately one goal every two matches.
Sibanda’s average stands at one goal per match.
The veteran skipper has been sidelined due to injury.
Bosso were linked with former Arenel Movers goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya, but the theatrical shot-stopper preferred the Gamecocks but has been playing second fiddle to Donovan Bernard.
Tembo Chuma is the current goalkeepers coach at the club.
Indictment of Bosso’s Goalkeeping Department
