• Muhoni gatecrashes H'landers party • Dynamos look to past for inspiration • Goal shy Highlanders strikers on the spot • Dynamos, Highlanders meet in Charity Shield • 2008 Premier Soccer League Fixtures • Dynamos draw CAPS in season opener • Highlanders parade new signings • Zifa extends transfer window to February 29 • Majabvi on trials at SA club • Highlanders unveil 5 new players • Majabvi, Murape and Sadomba get new deals • Highlanders call press conference to unveil Khumalo • Orlando Pirates chase Highlanders goalie • Free State Stars sign CAPS FC's Nkatha • MTL Wanderers say Gumbo's job safe • Khumalo set for new Highlanders role • Murape Murape wins Soccer Star of the Year award • Rhinos, Hwange and Mwana Africa relegated • Relegation battle goes to the wire • Dynamos clinch league and cup double • 2007 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

By Nkanyiso Moyo

HIGHLANDERS cruised to a 3-0 win over Ferroviario de Nampula of Mozambique in the first leg of their Confederations Cup preliminary round match played at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

Jacob Muzokomba gave Highlanders the lead in the 18th minute, substitute Richard Choruma added the second in the 74th minute before Eric Mudzingwa sealed the
scoring in the 90th minute, to carry a good advantage into the second round.

Highlanders owed much of their fluency in front of goal to new recruit Cuthberth Malajila who arrived from Chapungu on a one year deal on Thursday, and made
a telling impact in his first game for the former champions.

He created the third goal and could have scored on his debut in the 86th minute, but his header went just wide.

Highlanders employed a 3-5-2 formation with Malajila partnering Muzokomba upfront while the visitors, in search of an early goal played a 4-3-3 formation that, however, failed to trouble the three-man defence.

In the opening exchanges, Ferroviario twice broke free on the right and Peter Makuvise cleared off the line when Kiki had done well to beat Highlanders goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

Highlanders then surged ahead when Mudzingwa dispossessed Joaquim and a loose ball fell to Muzokomba who rattled home, giving goalkeeper Baia no chance.

Highlanders brought in Choruma after the breather, taking off Makuvise and that boosted their mobility, although still very few chances were created.

Ferro had their chance to draw level in the 69th minute when Mudzingwa gifted Nando with the ball, but the striker failed to connect before Arubi rushed out of his line to clean up the mess.

In the 74th minute, Highlanders increased their advantage when Muzokomba fed Wellington Sibanda on the right and the winger’s short pass was met by Choruma who coolly slotted home.

That second goal gave Highlanders much hope for a third, but Muzokomba’s cross was headed just over by Malajila in the 77th minute.

Malajila could have been on the target four minutes from end when he came at the end of a Douglas Zimbago cross, but watched in agony as his header went wide with the goalkeeper at sea.

Mudzingwa sealed the game at the death when Baia fumbled Malajila’s header and the midfielder made sure from close range.

Highlanders technical manager Methembe Ndlovu said: “It was a good game and the effort put by the team was great. They played well and I must say Malajila really did well in his first game. Richard performed well and we hope this gives us the confidence we can go beyond this round, although we take each game as it comes.

“We resume our preparations on Tuesday with a focus on the Charity Shield against Dynamos.”

Teams
Highlanders-W Arubi, G Banda, P Makuvise (Choruma 46th min), Z Ngodzo, W Sibanda, D Zimbago, S Alimenda, E Mudzingwa, M Machazane, J Muzokomba, C Malajila

Ferroviario de Nampula-Baia, Kiki (Gito 81st min), Faife, Jona, Joaquim, Macufo (Nando 64th min), Misca, Elidio, Danito, Helder (Elfigio 40th min), Helder, Cuinica

Match officials-Cornelius Mwanza, Lovemore Jere, Bruno Tembo (all Zambia)

Fourth official-Tichaona Chapfika (Zimbabwe)

Match Commissioner-Dintle Mpele (Botswana)
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