SIMBA BHORA . . . . . . . (1) 2
HIGHLANDERS . . . . . . .(1) 1
HIGHLANDERS coach Kelvin Kaindu attributed his side’s defeat to Simba Bhora in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match to poor officiating, also complaining that he was shackled against making his true feelings known.
Bosso surrendered their lead towards half time in controversial circumstances before Walter Musona added salt to injury with a second-half goal to ensure his side not only maintained their proud home record, but took all points.
Simba Bhora pulled off another giant killing act after edging Highlanders in an ill-tempered clash to maintain their unbeaten record at Wadzanai Stadium.
Tymon Machope scored a contentious first-half equaliser, which the Bosso camp felt should have been flagged for offside.
The win saw Simba Bhora move to second place on 37 points from 20 matches, two behind log leaders FC Platinum, who are in action today.
Kaindu was not happy with how the officials handled the match and was cryptic in his post-match interview.
“I do not think we have lost this game. It is just unfortunate that as a coach, if you make certain comments, you are the one who is going to be punished,” he said.
“But if football is going to be played like this, then we are not allowing competition. Who is speaking on behalf of the coach?”
Tonderai Ndiraya was delighted to see another giant fall at Wadzanai Stadium.
“I am really excited we were playing one of the giants of Zimbabwe football and it gives you a great feeling as team, as a coach to win against such a big team with a rich history,” the Simba Bhora mentor said after the match.
“I think we applied ourselves very well. We knew that they will come and boss us around, so psychologically, we were prepared for that.
“We needed character to come from a goal down to equalise in the first half. And then that goal from Musona gives us the three points.”
Simba Bhora were quick off the blocks as they dominated the early exchanges of the game backed by a vibrant home crowd.
They were unlucky to not take the lead early on after Machope’s curling shot from the edge of the box crashed against the upright and bounced out of play with goalkeeper Reward Muza beaten.
But it was Highlanders who took the lead against run of play, with Prosper Chigumira scoring a screamer from outside the box, giving Talbert Shumba no chance after Peter Muduhwa’s initial freekick was blocked.
Simba Bhora piled on the pressure and were rewarded, albeit under controversial circumstances.
Musona, seemingly in an offside position, ran onto a through ball and squared for Machope, who rolled the ball into an open net.
Highlanders protested the referee Tatenda Bvekerwa’s decision to let the goal stand and a member of the visitors’ technical team Daniel Khumalo was red-carded.
Khumalo was involved in a scuffle with the Simba Bhora bench, which saw his teammates join in and police had to be called in to restore order.
The incident resulted in a five-minute stoppage.
The second half provided less intensity as the two teams took time to get into their stride.
Simba Bhora won a free kick in a dangerous area after Harrison Masina was hacked down by Archford Faira, but Musona sent his effort into the side net.
Musona scored the hosts’ second goal from outside the box as the ball took a heavy deflection off Muduhwa into the net after 59 minutes.
The hosts thought they had found a third moments later, but Musona’s headed goal was flagged offside.
Bosso pushed for an equaliser late in the game, but failed to fashion clear chances.
Substitute Nqobile Ndlovu thought he had found the equaliser in stoppage time, but Shumba acrobatically tipped the headed effort over.
Teams
Simba Bhora: T Shumba, W Tafa, A Manenji, B Moyo, T Chipunza, M Msebe (G Saunyama, 90’), W Musona (C) (I Mauchi, 90’), H Masina (J Makunike, 77’), V Kawe, R Kangadzi, T Machope
Highlanders: R Muza, M Chigumira, L Chikuhwa (N Rauzhi, 63’), M Mushore, M Sibanda (H Sibanda, 72’), G Makaruse, A Mbeba, P Muduhwa, A Faira, B Ncube (N Ndlovu, 63’), M Ncube
