Bosso players go partying after loss
BULAWAYO – Five Highlanders players who went partying after their team’s morale shattering defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Dynamos on Sunday received a surprise verbal lashing from angry patrons at a nightclub in Bulawayo.
Bhekimpilo Ncube, who missed a sitter early in the second half, Njabulo Ncube who was red-carded for retaliating after being fouled by Partson Jaure, Hillary Madzivanyika who came in as a replacement for injured Innocent Mapuranga, Arshford Katsande and Simon Munawa, went out partying on Sunday night in the company of a senior Friends of the Warriors female executive member but got the shock of their lives when some angry Highlanders supporters lashed out at them.
“You guys don’t feel ashamed at all about what happened at Barbourfields Stadium, what are you doing here,” charged a patron within earshot of a Chronicle Sport crew.
Another patron was overheard begging the players to leave the place. The players never paid much attention to the concerned Highlanders fans who were drowning their sorrows with their friends.
Once inside the popular nightspot in the city centre, the dreadlocked Madzivanyika took to the dance floor with a female friend while the other players rushed to order their favourite lagers.
Contacted for comment, Highlanders chairman Peter Dube condemned the players’ behaviour and said they should have at the very least shown some contrition and sympathy for their grieving supporters.
“While we don’t have anything written down in terms of what our players should do or not do after work, I think we need to do something as a club so that we have well cultured players. It’s really unfortunate and one feels the boys should have put up a human face into this thing than be seen partying after such a loss.
It’s unfortunate really,” said Dube who said he had a torrid time sleeping after the morale-sapping loss.
“If they decide to indulge they should take into account the people’s feelings really. It’s also for their safety as well,” added the Highlanders chairman.
Former Highlanders medic and the last manager to win the championship in 2006, Emmet Ndlovu, said the players seem to undermine the status of the match.
“When Barcelona plays Real Madrid in Spain it’s a matter of life and death. The same goes for the encounter between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. The home scenario of the clash between Bosso and Dynamos is no exception . . . my heart bleeds,” said Ndlovu.
Tendai Tanyanyiwa, who played for both teams, also condemned the “partying after defeat” by the Highlanders quintet.
“I don’t know how other people see this game. I could not walk with my chest out after losing, worse off if it was my mistake. I think some players don’t realise the impact they have on other people, win or lose,” said Tanyanyiwa.
The majority of the Highlanders players went home immediately after the match with vice captain Erick Mudzingwa telling a friend that “akuhambeki in town” The Chronicle
