By Flata Kavinga
Highlanders F.C. handed Hardrock FC their first home defeat of the season after securing a 1-0 victory in a Premier Soccer League match played at Chahwanda Stadium this afternoon (Wednesday).
Reason Sibanda scored the decisive goal for Highlanders in a tightly contested encounter, ending Hardrock’s unbeaten home run.
Speaking after the match, Hardrock head coach Kelvin Kaindu said his side had controlled large periods of the game but failed to convert their chances.
“It’s our first defeat at home. It’s painful, especially because I think we dominated the game. Probably we could have finished our business in the first half because we had a number of chances,” said Kaindu.
He said his side continued to control possession in the second half before Highlanders capitalised on what he described as a simple attacking move.
“Our opponents capitalised from a simple attack and managed to get a goal. We knew after that it was going to be difficult because they were comfortable defending their lead,” he said.
Kaindu, however, said defeat was part of football and backed his team to bounce back in their next match against Bulawayo Chiefs F.C..
“In football, you win, you lose and you draw. We have done well in the last few games, but today Highlanders wanted the win more,” he said.
Highlanders head coach Benjani Mwaruwari praised his players for showing determination against a difficult opponent.
“They gave us a hard time, but my boys fought all the way and showed character. The team spirit around us is very high,” said Mwaruwari.
He acknowledged that despite the victory, his team still needed to improve in several areas.
“Sometimes when you win like this, you forget the mistakes that you made. We need to go back and improve in the areas where we did not do well,” he said.
Mwaruwari also declined to criticise match officials, saying mistakes were part of the game.
“I don’t want to talk about the officiating. Referees are human beings and they are bound to make mistakes,” he said.
The Highlanders coach described the result as part of the club’s gradual rebuilding process after a run of seven consecutive draws earlier in the season.
“We are still building and heading in the right direction. We have worked on our defending and set pieces, and today we were very solid,” said Mwaruwari.
He also praised Sibanda’s winning goal, admitting he did not initially realise the shot had gone in.
“It was a very good goal. From where I was standing, I did not expect it to end up in the back of the net,” he said.
