Sikhumbuzo Moto Senior Sports Reporter
Highlanders 0-1 Chapungu
HIGHLANDERS coach Bongani Mafu continues to break his own records after he led his side to a 0-1 defeat against a previously winless and scoreless Chapungu at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
The loss sparked a demonstration by Bosso fans as they marched from the match venue to the club house. They demanded Mafu’s sacking.
After going for 360 minutes without celebrating a goal this season John Nyikadzino’s boys took only eight minutes to celebrate away after Allen Tavarwisa beat Highlanders shotstopper Ariel Sibanda with a rising shot from inside the box off a cross from the right.
It was a goal that later proved to be the match winner as Bosso could not find the equaliser.
Highlanders never really came to the party and can actually count themselves lucky to have lost by just a solitary goal as the visitors were all over them.
Bosso were only visible when Ariel Sibanda made a save from a Chapungu attack or when skipper Felix Chindungwe, anchorman Erick Mudzingwa and midfielder Welcome Ndiweni were in possession.
It was a surprise to everyone when coach Mafu pulled out Ndiweni in the 46th minute for a forward, Ozias Zibande. The substitution, tactical or otherwise never proved to be of any benefit to the team as Chapungu kept on pushing Highlanders into the corner.
Chapungu could have added a second in the 61st minute through Tavarwisa who came face to face with Ariel but the Highlanders goalkeeper was equal to the task.
Ten minutes later Highlanders made an injury-inspired substitution, pulling out King Nadolo for Valentine Ndaba who almost brought them back a few moments after coming on.
After Ndaba’s almost grand entry, there was nothing to write home about until the referee blew for fulltime.
Thereafter, Bosso fans from the Soweto End laid vigil and sang songs denigrating Mafu, calling for his immediate dismissal.
However, Sibhalo Mpofu, the Highlanders vice-chairman said they still have faith in their coach.
“I think we need to give him some time. I still have faith in him,” said Mpofu.
An elated Chapungu coach Nyikadzino said he knew that they would score against Highlanders and congratulated his charges for the win.
“It’s never easy to score against Highlanders at Barbourfields, worse, to win but we did and I want to congratulate the boys for a job well done,” said Nyikadzino.
Mafu said: “We were just not in the game.”
Herald
Highlanders 0-1 Chapungu
HIGHLANDERS coach Bongani Mafu continues to break his own records after he led his side to a 0-1 defeat against a previously winless and scoreless Chapungu at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
The loss sparked a demonstration by Bosso fans as they marched from the match venue to the club house. They demanded Mafu’s sacking.
After going for 360 minutes without celebrating a goal this season John Nyikadzino’s boys took only eight minutes to celebrate away after Allen Tavarwisa beat Highlanders shotstopper Ariel Sibanda with a rising shot from inside the box off a cross from the right.
It was a goal that later proved to be the match winner as Bosso could not find the equaliser.
 |
| Highlanders fans mill around the club house yesterday |
Bosso were only visible when Ariel Sibanda made a save from a Chapungu attack or when skipper Felix Chindungwe, anchorman Erick Mudzingwa and midfielder Welcome Ndiweni were in possession.
It was a surprise to everyone when coach Mafu pulled out Ndiweni in the 46th minute for a forward, Ozias Zibande. The substitution, tactical or otherwise never proved to be of any benefit to the team as Chapungu kept on pushing Highlanders into the corner.
Chapungu could have added a second in the 61st minute through Tavarwisa who came face to face with Ariel but the Highlanders goalkeeper was equal to the task.
Ten minutes later Highlanders made an injury-inspired substitution, pulling out King Nadolo for Valentine Ndaba who almost brought them back a few moments after coming on.
After Ndaba’s almost grand entry, there was nothing to write home about until the referee blew for fulltime.
Thereafter, Bosso fans from the Soweto End laid vigil and sang songs denigrating Mafu, calling for his immediate dismissal.
However, Sibhalo Mpofu, the Highlanders vice-chairman said they still have faith in their coach.
“I think we need to give him some time. I still have faith in him,” said Mpofu.
An elated Chapungu coach Nyikadzino said he knew that they would score against Highlanders and congratulated his charges for the win.
“It’s never easy to score against Highlanders at Barbourfields, worse, to win but we did and I want to congratulate the boys for a job well done,” said Nyikadzino.
Mafu said: “We were just not in the game.”
Herald
