HIGHLANDERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
HERENTALS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
HIGHLANDERS finally remembered to win, coming from behind to beat Herentals in a rather dull match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Both sides observed a minute of silence before kick-off to honour former Warriors and Highlanders legend Rahman Gumbo who died on Friday night in Francistown, Botswana.
Assistant coach Joel Luphahla said: “There was a big message from the coach (Madinda Ndlovu). He told them that today we are wearing black armbands; they have a meaning. We have lost a big man, big coach and big player for Highlanders. Some of these players don't even know him, they did not watch him play. But the coach emphasised that we cannot lose today. It’s a different game, it's a different day that we have to play for the coach (Gumbo). I'm happy that we got the three points and we want to dedicate this to the departed coach,” Luphahla said.
The Bulawayo giants earned their goals through defender Gillian Nyathi and striker Calvin Chigonero.
The visitors scored first in the 37th minute through Tafafadzwa Jim’s header after receiving a cross from the right after defender Archford Faira was dispossessed while he dilly-dallied with the ball.
Highlanders equalised two minutes later after Nyathi made a solo run from the centre and unleashed a long-range thunderbolt that left goalkeeper Nevermind Antonio a confused spectator.
- Zim man accuses Bots police of unlawful detention
- Zim men locked up in Bots for possessing dead pangolin
- Mafu praises Bosso coach
- Highlanders in derby delight
Keep Reading
Chigonero scored the winner for Highlanders a minute before half time with a speculative shot which appeared to be a good mistake by the striker after Antonio fumbled the ball and it crossed the line.
But Herentals players protested the goal by charging at the first linesman and then walked off the pitch to the dressing rooms before referee of the day Arnold Ncube had blown to end the first half.
They later returned after seven minutes and the match resumed.
The win takes Highlanders to 52 points and ride over FC Platinum to position four. It was their second win in 13 games. Madinda Ndlovu presided over Highlanders as head coach since coach Baltemar Brito is with the Warriors in Rwanda.
Herentals remain on position six with 48 points after the defeat. Coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva said Highlanders' second goal and his players' protests were the turning point and his boys crumbled.
“The game started very well until that minute when the referee decided that it was a goal, but took time to make the decision. That was the talking point of the game whereby the assistant referee took time to communicate with the centre referee that it was a goal. For us, we could not see that it was a goal. Our players protestedthat it was not a goal. These situations are referred to VAR, especially in European countries. It’s not easyto make decisions on situation that are fast as it happens,” Mutiwekuziva said.
