Bosso cry foul after defeat to DeMbare
By Godknows Matarutse
HARARE – Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu had no kind words for refereeing decisions that were made during his team’s defeat to Dynamos in a tension-filled Castle Premiership match here yesterday.
Mafu felt referee Norman Matemera aided Dynamos’ win by disallowing Edmore Muzanenhamo’s effort 10 minutes from time for offside.
Muzanenhamo was clearly onside when he smashed home what could have been an equalising goal but Matemera and his nearside assistant Bongani Gadzikwa ruled out the strike for offside.
For Mafu yesterday’s match had presented his team an opportunity to turn a new leaf on their record against the Harare giants.
The Bulawayo giants last beat DeMbare in 2006, the year they last laid their hands on the Premiership trophy.
The Glamour Boys played second fiddle to Mafu’s enterprising side that dominated almost the entire match.
Knox Mutizwa got a brace for Bosso while Ronald Chitiyo replied with a brace for DeMbare with Qadr Amini scoring the winner.
After the game Mafu threw his weight behind his charges but pointed at the costly mistake made by the referee as the reason behind his team’s loss.
“I think the referee should go and show his grandchildren the video of this match and let them decide,” Mafu said after the match.
“If the referee says I used to referee in Zimbabwe and I officiated in a big game and this is the offside or the thing that I gave and the kids accept that then he can be happy. But if his grandchildren are not happy, I am not happy either.
“I don’t think it was offside. These are the decisions that kill our football. Decisions like that might take Dynamos to the championship.
“Trust me they will be second in Africa because our cousins who give them those favours will not be there.
“So let’s have proper referring here if we are to improve all-round. I am not happy with that seriously.”
Mafu added: “I think we played some good football; we controlled the game but at the same time conceded silly goals which we should not concede at this level.
“I think we need to tighten up our defence, we need to have confidence to hold on to a good start which we should have normally held on in this game.
“At the end of the day there is no point of playing good football and failing to win. Good football is when you play and score goals, it’s about who won the game. It’s work in progress. We have to go back to the drawing board.
The Bulawayo giants were dangerous both in the early and later exchanges with Knox Mutizwa and King Nadolo, keeping the Dynamos back line on their toes.
It was not a surprise when Bosso surged ahead in the seventh minute when Mutizwa converted from the sport after Augustine Mbare had stripped Obadiah Tarumbwa inside the box.
DeMbare, however, responded in the 12th minute when Chitiyo beat Bosso goalkeeper with a powerful shot from inside the box.
Powered by the goal, DeMbare got the second in the 19 minute when Chitiyo again capitalised on some poor defending by the Bosso backline.
The second half saw the Bulawayo giants show the same intent, imposing themselves both in midfield and attack and two minutes after the restart they were level again courtesy of a Mutizwa header from a Muzanenhamo free-kick on the right side.
Bosso must have felt there is no justice in football as they continued pile the pressure but failed to find the back of the net.
In the end, it was Amini, who provided the winner for DeMbare from a set-piece in the 75th minute much to the relief of David Mandigora.
“It was a relief considering we have gone for three matches without a win,” Mandigora said after the game.” Daily News
Teams:
Dynamos: Tatenda Mukuruva, Obey Mwerahari, Augustine Mbara, Elisha Muroiwa, Ocean Mushure, Godknows Murwira, Steven Alimenda, Masimba Mambare, Ronald Chityo, Qadr Amini, Dominic Chungwa
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Webster Chingodza, Simon Munawa, Rahman Kutsanzira, King Nadolo, Edmore Muzanenhamo, Obediah Tarumbwa, Bruce Kangwa, Knox Mutizwa, Honest Moyo, Erick Mudzingwa
