BULAWAYO - Highlanders have taken over the Castle Premiership log leadership after their emphatic victory over army side Buffaloes here yesterday.

A first half own goal by the visitors captain Prosper Matizanadzo and second half strikes from Mthulisi Maphosa and Milton Ncube propelled Bosso to pole position as they now enjoy a superior goal difference to that of FC Platinum.

Highlanders and FC Platinum are tied on 19 points with both teams having scored 16 times but the difference is in goals conceded where the Bulawayo giants have been breached six times while their rivals have let in seven goals.

Bosso assistant coach Bekithemba Ndlovu hailed his charges for doing their talking on the field after the visitors had vowed to come away with a victory in the build up to yesterday’s match.

“We played good football today and you could see how well we were passing the ball in the second half and I am very happy for my boys,” Ndlovu said.

“I think now the opposition coach must have respect for us because he had maintained that they were coming here for a win but us we did our talking on the pitch.”

The home side launched an attack right from kick off but right midfielder Masimba Mambare mishit his effort and the visitors defence easily cleared.

Buffaloes then took the game to Highlanders and dominated exchanges culminating in their striker Steven Sibanda missing a sitter on 12minutes.

The Buffaloes man benefitted from an ill conceived off-side trap and found himself face to face with Highlanders keeper Munyaradzi Diya, who blocked the attacker’s first attempt.

Highlanders captain Innocent Mapuranga then blocked Sibanda’s second attempt at goal before man of the match Simon Munawa put the ball out for a corner kick which the soldiers failed to utilise.

Bosso striker Beaven Chikaka then started to ask questions of the visitors defence with his direct attacking style.

Chikaka had a couple of efforts that narrowly missed the target before Highlanders found the opener on 39 minutes.

Matizanadzo beat his goalkeeper Chengetai Tandazani  when he tried to deal with a vicious cross from Mambare.

The visitors could have gone to the break on even terms but left back Farai Banda wasted Wonder Sithole’s free kick on 42 minutes.

This was after Munawa had been penalised for obstructing a goal bound Buffaloes player.

Maphosa extended Highlanders’ lead on 52 minutes after being set up by Mambare off a free kick taken by Bruce Kangwa.

The goal exposed Buffaloes keeper Tandazani’s lack of height and Highlanders players started taking speculative shots at the visitors’ goal.

Munawa and Maphosa had efforts that troubled the keeper while Cleopas Dube missed a couple of headers as the home side sought an assurance goal.

Second half substitute Milton Ncube, who replaced Njabulo Ncube on 68 minutes, then ended the match as a contest when he converted a free kick after Hillary Madzivanyika had been fouled on the right flank.

Buffaloes coach Saul Chaminuka blamed his side’s defeat on match officials.

“We gifted them with the first goal and such things happen in football but one thing I was not happy about is the match officiating,” Chaminuka said.

“There were a lot of incidents that required the referee to show impartiality and I think our players got frustrated by the poor match officiating.” - Sakheleni Nxumalo