OnSport Reporter
Highlanders coach Peter De Jongh’s halftime substitutions proved to be a tactical masterstroke as his team defeated the expensively assembled Scottland 2-1 after penalty shootouts at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter finals.
Bosso were under pressure in the first half as Scottland dominated the exchanges. They controlled the midfield battle where they had deployed goalscorer Kingsley Mureremba, Mthokozisi Msebe, the versatile Vassil Kawe and trump card Moses Shidolo, whilst Bosso had goalscorer Learnmore Muyambo, making his full debut, Mason Mushore, Melikhaya Ncube and another debutant Martin Nhubu.
It was Scottland that were quick off the blocks to score two goals through Mureremba and Khama Billiart, who played as a false number nine. With a bit of precision, Mabviravira could have scored more.
However, the second half was a completely different story. Bosso, the underdogs pegged Scottland in their own half for the entire second half and it was no surprise when Andrew Mbeba equalised at the stroke of full-time sparking wild celebrations at the stadium.
De Jongh said they changed their formation in the second stanza to assume control.
“Good comeback. I think the game was in two phases. First half Scottland was the better team. They had more control in the midfield. They led 2-0 and we answered from a set piece, corner kick. I was very happy with the goal. It’s been a long time that we came back from 2-0 down.
“Then we changed. We played 1-4-3-3. We had little more control. We were the better team. We pushed them back… In the end we scored the equaliser. I think the draw was a fair result,” he said.
De Jongh introduced the Makokoba duo of Darlington Mukuli in central midfield and Prince Ndlovu to play wide on the left for Muyambo and Nhubu.
The duo injected life into Bosso’s play and suddenly everything fell into place for the Bulawayo giants, as Scottland chased the game.
De Jongh also felt that Brian Mlotshwa’s 86th minute goal should have stood. The substitute chased a long ball that Scottland goalkeeper Talbert Shumba fumbled and it bounced on Mlotshwa and rolled into the nets.
Scottland players appealed to the referee that Mlotshwa had handled.
“Very strange decisions from the referee. I will shut my mouth about the referee and linesman. I think the whole stadium saw that it was a 100% goal,” said De Jongh.
Bosso will now face Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium on the 26 October. Dynamos are now under the tutelage of De Jongh’s predecessor Kelvin Kaindu and fireworks are expected.
In the other semifinal, MWOS will host Triangle, a day earlier at Ngoni Stadium.
