Ngezi Platinum Stars 1–0 Highlanders FC
Highlanders suffered a heartbreaking 1–0 defeat to Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab Stadium on Thursday afternoon, conceding a late goal in a tightly contested Matchday 30 encounter.
The opening exchanges saw both sides battling for control, with clear-cut opportunities proving difficult to come by.
Ngezi threatened early through a free kick just outside the penalty area, but goalkeeper Aron Ngwenya was equal to the task, collecting the effort comfortably.
Highlanders responded in the 20th minute when Mongameli Tshuma was brought down outside the box. Andrew Mbeba delivered a dangerous ball from the resulting free kick, but the hosts’ defence stood firm to clear the danger.
Neither side managed to find a breakthrough before the interval, and the teams went into the break with the score locked at 0–0.
Highlanders returned for the second half with renewed determination, introducing Reason Sibanda in place of Kudakwashe Mahachi.
The visitors made a lively start after the restart, winning a corner that saw Mbeba deliver another threatening ball into the penalty area, only for the Ngezi defence to clear.
Further changes followed as Royn Nyamono replaced Never Rauzhi in the 58th minute, while Brighton Makopa came on for Benjamin Odeogun in the closing stages.
With the match seemingly heading towards a goalless draw, disaster struck in stoppage time as Ngezi Platinum Stars found the back of the net to snatch a dramatic late winner.
Despite a determined performance and a spirited fight throughout the encounter, Highlanders were left empty-handed after 90 minutes of hard-fought football.