Highlanders . . . . . . . 0 Dynamos . . . . . . . . . 0
Highlanders and Dynamos shared the spoils in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match marred by questionable officiating from Gwanda referee Nkosana Nduna at Barbourfields Stadium on Monday.
Highlanders coach Mkhuphali “Mr Cooper” Masuku and Dynamos assistant coach Masimba Dinyero were not amused at the way in which Nduna handled the tension-filled match.
After 40 minutes of play, the home team was denied what looked like a penalty to all and sundry after Rahman Kutsanzira was brought down inside the penalty box but Nduna thought otherwise.
Masuku said: “It was a tough game. We missed a lot of chances. The penalty which we were denied could have changed the complexion of the match. But it’s part of the game and there is nothing that you can do.”
Dinyero said poor refereeing was killing the game of football.
He questioned why Murape Murape was sent off towards the end of the match after Bosso were given a foul. The coach said a number of crude tackles on his players went unpunished by the referee.
“The match was good except for bad officiating that is killing football in the country. Murape did not deserve the red card that he was given and there were several crude tackles on our players the referee ignored,” Dinyero said.
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After an exciting start to the first half, Highlanders striker Kutsanzira received a pass from the centre and dribbled past Glamour Boys defender George Magariro who brought him down inside the box but the referee waved play on much to the chagrin of Highlanders supporters and officials.
Highlanders dictated the pace of the game especially in the middle of the park where former Bantu Rovers player Arnold Tshuma, Eric Mudzingwa, Kutsanzira and young Misheck Mburayi shone.
However, goals were not forthcoming for the Bulawayo giants with DeMbare depending on counter-attacks and intermittent raids from veteran captain Desmond Maringwa.
Bosso captain Gilbert Banda and Gift Lunga were cautioned for crude fouls on Denver Mukamba and Martin Vengesayi.
The second half was a drab affair with Highlanders’ Njabulo Ncube missing a sitter in the 64th minute after he was set up by promising Mburayi.
Teams
Highlanders: L Makwavarara, L Nkomo, G Lunga, I Mapuranga, A Tshuma, M Mburayi, E Mudzingwa, N Ncube, V Nzombe (G Ncube 64th minute) Dynamos: W Arubi, D Kutyauripo, A Mbara, G Bello, G Magariro, T Mamvura, D Maringwa (T Muparati 71st minute), M Vengesayi, A Gutu, P Khumbula (R Mutuma 70th minute), D Mukamba (M Murape 46th minute)
Castle Lager Premier League Results
Monday: Highlanders 0-0 Dynamos, Motor Action 3-0 Shabanie Mine, Hwange 2-2 Monomotapa, Masvingo United 3-1 Kiglon, FC Platinum v Gunners (postponed)
Sunday: Caps United 1-1 Black Mambas, Chicken Inn 4-1 Shooting Stars, Zimbabwe Saints 1-0 Blue Ribbon
Friday: Monomotapa 1-1 Kiglon, Dynamos 0-0 Hwange, Gunners 1-2 Highlanders, Shabanie Mine v FC Platinum (postponed)
Thursday: Blue Ribbon 2-0 Caps United, Shooting Stars 1-0 Motor Action, Zimbabwe Saints 1-1 Masvingo United, Black Mambas 0-1 Chicken Inn
