By Sikhumbuzo Moyo
BULAWAYO – Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu yesterday said that “even Jesus might find it difficult” to coach Bosso because of the impatient club supporters.
He however accepted the blame for the embarrassing defeat against Chapungu on Sunday and declared that there will be war at training this week while also calling on the supporters to exercise patience.
“Even Jesus can’t coach Highlanders with this kind of friction. Our fans are so impatient but in a way one can understand them,” said Mafu who had no kind words for his players too.
“There’s no way that all the 11 players could be off form, you can understand one or two but not the whole team. That was rubbish, so nonsensical and it must never ever happen again.
“I truly understand the fans’ anger and in their shoes, I would’ve done the same because to most of them Highlanders is probably the only thing which they’re left with and will therefore do anything to preserve its legacy.”
Highlanders supporters on Sunday held a peaceful demonstration, marching from Barbourfields Stadium to the club house following the defeat to a previously winless Chapungu.
Amahlolanyama fell to an eighth minute goal by Allen Tavarwisa, a goal that triggered immediate and spontaneous demonstrations by fans from the militant Soweto stand.
A group of slightly over 400 supporters held a vigil after the match as they sang emotional songs calling for Mafu to immediately leave Highlanders.
“Mafu, Mafu, yizwa mazwi ami,”(Mafu Mafu, heed my words) the fans sang.
After singing and toyi-toying for about 30 minutes at the end of the match at the stadium, the fans then took to the road and toyi-toyed again along Old Falls Road to the Highlanders club house. They continued singing and calling for the executive to fire Mafu.
When they got to the Highlanders club house, they went to the front door, knelt down, expecting to be addressed by the Highlanders executive who however were not there.
Chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede who was among the patrons watching the Manchester derby bolted out of the club house when he was informed of the imminent arrival of the fans.
Upon noticing that there was no one to address them, the fans then invaded the club house with their vuvuzelas, blowing them. Anti-riot police later came in full gear with dogs.
“The supporters later attempted to march to the Highlanders chairman Peter Dube’s Parkview premises but decided otherwise.
“I want to appeal to our supporters not to be too emotional sometimes and give us time, patience pays but believe me you, I think it’s high time that those who don’t want to play for this team come out in the open. I need warriors, players who are prepared to die for this team not mercenaries,” said Mafu.
The loss to Chapungu saw Highlanders remain six points behind leaders Triangle who mauled Caps United 4-0 at Gibbo Stadium.
Kelvin Kaindu, who was pushed out of Highlanders towards the end of last season, leads the pack with 13 points, the same as reigning champions Dynamos who laboured to a 1-0 win over league newcomers Flame Lily.
“It was a great game and scoring four against CAPS is just wonderful and shows that we’re heading somewhere. This is just the beginning. We want to get points that will save us from relegation and then we will start talking about the rest,” Kaindu said after the match.
Expensively assembled sides, How Mine and Harare City played out to a dull 0-0 draw at Luveve Stadium and rumours immediately started circulating that the gold miners had given head coach Luke Masomere, an ultimatum to start collecting maximum points or face the boot.
“I’m not aware of that since I’m not on the ground these days but I don’t think it’s true,” said How Mine chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo when asked about the ultimatum allegations.
Another high flying side, Chicken Inn added further misery to FC Platinum who they outsmarted 3-1 at Mandava Stadium, in the process climbing up to third on the table just a point behind Triangle and Dynamos.
New boys, Tsholotsho registered their second set of three points with a 2-0 win over fellow league debutants, Whawha at Ascot Stadium.
Lizwe Sweswe’s charges lie sixth on the table, just above Highlanders due to a superior goal difference and are the best performers from the new teams.
The other three, Dongo Sawmills, Flame Lily and Whawha occupy the bottom three places with two points each.
They remain winless and in fact the bottom five positions are occupied by winless clubs, Hwange, who were held at home by Buffaloes, included. The Chronicle
