By Brighton Ncube

veteran stiker Ralph Mathema came as a substitute to inspire victory for the black and white side Highlanders Football club he rose from the bench to score the winning goal that propelled Highlanders into the quarterfinals of the Chibuku Super Cup after thrushing the  visiting Mutare City Rovers at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Highlanders fans were again thrilled to a mouth watering encounter after clobbering Dynamos last week at the same venue in a premier soccer league match. it is the happy times for the Highlanders soccer coach Erol Akbay. Bosso continue with their winning spree as they aim to take away the castle premier soccer league championship. the youngster who has been in the middle of it all, is Prince Dube who has left many defenders from the opposing team in six’s and seven’s on the ground while he scores the ball. highlanders has shown to its supporters that it means business and this has impressed many soccer lovers across the city.

In a  Chibuku match played last sunday at Barbourfields stadium against Mutare city an  own goal by Mutare City’s Munyaradzi  Sako initiated Highlanders the first goal during the referee’s optional time of the first half as he attempted to clear a scotcher by Prince Dube.
Mutare City Rovers, however, would not go down easily and came back fighting in the second half with Agrippa Murimba dragging his side back into the contest after benefiting from a Collen Muzavazi pass two minutes after the break.

Matema then made a simple tap-in past goalkeeper Philip Nhete from a Dube cross in the 79th minute and it was enough to send his side through to the last eight.

The veteran striker had came in for an ineffective Allan Gahadzikwa in 61st minute and made an impact.

Bosso coach Erol Akbay was pleased with Matema’s contribution.

“We need that power upfront and in the last three matches he has proven himself well coming from the bench,”

I cannot talk about reaching the final of this cup yet, We will see how we far in the next round. he ball possession against Mutare City in the first half but saw three headers from Simon Munawa, Dube and Gahadzikwa miss the target.” alluded the happy Highlanders coach.  Highlanders missed a lot of chances that would have left Mutare city packing its backs before the 90minutes whistle.

Again Mutare City missed a lot of good performances from skipper Chasten Ngondonga, Wonder Sithole and Muzavazi but they could not produce enough to win the match. the Mutare city coach was highly dissapointed from the perfomance of his team.

Highlanders proceed to the quarter finals of the chibuku competition.

Teams

Highlanders: A Sibanda, T Ngulube, H Moyo, T Ndlovu, P Muduhwa, E Mudzingwa, N Ndlovu (G Nyoni 81’), A Gahadzikwa (R Matema 61’), P Dube, R Kutsanzira (K Nadolo 90+2’), S Munawa

Mutare City: P Nhete, B Mukwena, A Murimba, R Madamombe (E Chimhaka 46’), C Ngondonga, A Nyakabawo (T Chabwana 54’), W Sithole, M Tapatapa (E Sinaputa 67’), C Muzavazi, M Sako, B Majamanda