Skipper Gilbert Banda and Douglas Zimbago weighed in with the other goals as Bosso avenged last season’s 1-2 loss at the hands of their arch rivals, which virtually ended their bid to retain the championship.
Malajila, the CBZ 2007 season Golden Boot award winner, who is on a season’s loan from Chapungu, could soon eclipse another entertaining player, Stephen Alumenda, as Bosso’s buy of the season. His man-of-the-match performance kept the multitudes of Bosso fans on the edge of their seats with his five-star performance.
After a token challenge from Sundowns at the beginning of the match, Banda thrust Highlanders into the lead in the 30th minute, when he chested and poked the ball beyond the reach of Brian Ndlovu, in a strike which seemed to be from an off-side position.
Both the Sundowns bench and players remonstrated with the referee, protesting his decision to allow the goal.
After the breather, Zimbago scored a left-footer from close range in the 46th minute, doing justice to a fine lay-off from Malajila, who chested the ball into the path of the former Masvingo United player.
Malajila brilliantly headed Bosso out of sight in the 77th minute, when he skillfully connected a cross from the right by another enterprising player of the afternoon, Wellington Sibanda.
He completed both his brace and the rout in the 85th minute when, in a moment of sheer brilliance, he made light work of Sundowns Captain Sikhumbuzo Banda, whom he left sprawling on the ground, before dazzling Ndlovu with both feet to score the club’s winner.
The only lowlight of the match was when an out-of-sorts Zephania Ngodzo was red-carded by a no-nonsense Khanyile Mlilo for a professional foul on Patrick Tom on the edge of the box.This resulted in Bosso Manager Methembe Ndlovu taking out a newly-introduced Irvine Tinarwo for defender Peter Makuvise.
The impressive referee also gave Sundowns Manager Joshua Mhizha marching orders after the Sundowns’ protest of Banda’s goal.
Teams
Highlanders: W Arubi, S Alimenda, Z Ngodzo, A Ndlovu, C Malajila, W Sibanda, E Mudzingwa, G Banda, R Choruma (I Tinarwo 62nd minute) (P Makuvise 78th minute), D Zimbago, G Lunga.
Njube Sundowns: B Ndlovu, S Banda, T Gwaringeisu, M Webb (J Phiri 76th minute), T Ngulube, E Chikwayikwayi, J Shambarume (D Mukandi 76th minute), T Kamusoko, T Ndlovu (C Chilufya 57th minute), P Tom, T Moyo.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News