Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS 90 developmental coach Melusi Sibanda had no kind words for Hwange-based referee Bekezela Makeka, accusing him of badly handling their Zifa Southern Region Division One League match against ZRP Hwange on Saturday.
The Bosso youngsters lost the match 2-4, with Makeka allegedly hogging the limelight with a number of questionable decisions that left Sibanda and his team bemused.
Among the hometown decisions Makeka allegedly made was denying the Highlanders’ developmental side at least three penalties following the policemen’s hard tackles on Bosso players in the box.
In fact, ZRP Hwange were lucky to finish the game with all their players on the pitch as Makeka ignored dangerous tackles.
“I’m a coach who loves to lose with dignity and the way we lost on Saturday wasn’t good at all. These are youngsters and you expect them to lose fairly rather than them being frustrated by questionable officiating. I’m happy that despite being forced to ride near-career threatening tackles, my boys still managed to play some good football that even impartial home town supporters appreciated,” said Sibanda.
Tendai Mathe gave ZRP Hwange an early lead before Ray Lunga equalised at the stroke of halftime to give Highlanders hope of coming out with something.
The home team then shot into the lead six minutes into the second half through Kurudzirai Moyo, but the young Bosso team fought back and equalised through a spectacular strike by Mandlenkosi Mnkandla in the 70th minute.
Mnkandla’s goal saw Bosso dictating the pace of the game, only to crumble in injury time when they let in two goals from Mathe and Moses Gama to hand ZRP Hwange their first victory of the season.
The victory for the police outfit lifted them from position 14 to nine while Bosso slipped from number four to five.
Table toppers Amagagasi continued with their fine start to take their unbeaten run to five matches with a 4-0 demolition of Hwange Juniors at the Colliery Stadium on Sunday.
The Victoria Falls side is at the top of the table with 15 points, two ahead of former champions Bulawayo Chiefs.
A brace by Nhlanhla Ndlovu and a goal each by Arthur Musiiwa and Lindiwe Nyathi propelled Amagagasi to a comfortable win.
Chiefs kept pressure on Amagagasi with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Black Boots.
Former Highlanders striker Thabani Moyo hit a brace for Chiefs while Black Boots’ face saver came from Tashinga Mungadze.
Perennial title contenders ZPC Hwange and Bantu Rovers also recorded 2-1 and 3-1 respective wins over Talen Vision and Victoria Falls.
Results
Saturday: ZRP Bulawayo Province 2-0 Technosphere, Indlovu Iyanyathela 2-1 Makomo, Talen Vision 1-2 ZPC Hwange, ZRP Hwange 4-2 Bosso 90, Casmyn 1-1 Ntabazinduna
Sunday: Hwange Juniors 0-4 Amagagasi, Bantu Rovers 3-1 Victoria Falls Tigers, Bulawayo Chiefs 2-1 Black Boots