HIGHLANDERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 2
ZPC KARIBA.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
HIGHLANDERS dispatched visiting ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, watched by a pathetic crowd at Barbourfields Stadium as fans heeded calls to boycott the team's home matches.
A host of Highlanders fans decided to stay away from the match in protest over a PSL decision to fine the club US$6 000 for crowd trouble in a Chibuku Super Cup fixture that was abandoned at Wadzanayi Stadium on September 22.
Lynoth Chikuhwa converted a penalty in the third minute after the impressive Never Rauzhi was brought down inside the box and referee Allan Basvi pointed to the spot.
It was Chikuhwa's 12 goal of the season to move joint top with William Manondo and Khama Billiat in the race for the Golden Boot.
Keep Reading
- Inside Sport: Local stadiums in urgent need of attention
- Bullets ease relegation fears
- FC Platinum move six points clear
- Clinical Herentals leapfrog Ngezi to sixth
McKinnon Mushore then fired a grounder from inside the box in the 36th minute to double Highlanders' advantage.
After the breather, the visitors had a chance to score in the 51st minute from a free-kick, but a well-taken shot was punched back into play by goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi.
With the victory, Highlanders jumped into third with 44 points ahead of Manica Diamonds and Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu was ecstatic.
"A positive result for us and we managed to keep a clean sheet. It has also helped us to move up on the log standings. We have been on the fifth position for quite some time and we have moved to the third position. We created a number of chances especially in the first half. We could have buried this game in the first half," Kaindu said.
His counterpart Newton Chitewe said defensive blunders cost his team the game.
"We made some blunders at the back, that is why we conceded two goals. We could not come back and Highlanders had taken the lead. They managed the game well. We introduced youngsters in the second half and they did some great things. for our next game, I think we should introduce these youngsters earlier maybe we can score," said
But the major talking point surrounding the match was the Highlanders supporters heeding the call to boycott yesterday's match and other future home matches.
Instead, the fans converged at the club house to fundraise for the US$6 000 fine the club was fined for the role the supporters played in the abandonment of their match against Simba Bhora.
Highlanders were charged for causing the abandonment of the match.
One of organisers of the boycott, broadcaster Ezra "Tshisa" Sibanda, a Highlanders member, shared his thoughts on the protest after a number of supporters attended the fundraising protest function at the clubhouse
"This is to send a message to the unfairness which is happening in Zimbabwean football especially targeting Highlanders. What prompted us to this is what happened in Shamva [against Simba Bhora]. How do they know that those were Highlanders supporters and the club is fined US$6 000. At Wadzanayi there were stones and bricks. I don't even know how that stadium was approved. The PSL says the games are theirs and then there is a problem and they say clubs are responsible. This is unfair and it needs to be changed," Sibanda said.
He added: "Referees have never faced the consequences. They are getting away with murder. Referees should not be paid by clubs. They should be paid by Zifa. There are some rogue elements or some club owners who can bribe the referee. We want football to be fair."
Highlanders fans are planning to stay away from the remaining Highlanders matches.
The hearing for abandoned match was held last Wednesday and await the ruling.
Teams
Highlanders: R Pitisi, A Mbeba, T Dube, A Ndlovu, P Muduhwa, M Mushore, L Chikuhwa (M Ncube 80), McKinnon Mushore, B Ncube (N Ndlovu 63'), G Nyathi, Never Rauzhi
ZPC Kariba: T Munditi, K Madima, N Gurende, B Makuture, C Dzingai, C Muleya, B Zuberi (I Sibelo 46'), C Munyanyi, L Murape (T Chidhobha 87'), S Ngala (T Makaripe