admin
This stage requires high levels of competence for referees who have in the past been blamed for poor officiating and already there are some sections in football circles who already fear referees might spoil the broth.
Fans were left convinced at Barbourfields Stadium last Sunday that Midlands referee Thomas Masaa had joined the group of referees who are trying to outdo each other by some questionable refereeing against Highlanders. The Bosso camp has in the past reacted angrily to poor officiating with its supporters throwing missiles onto the pitch in protest.
Masaa had another poor showing in the match between Bosso and Motor Action. The home team fans felt he was too harsh with them especially in the first half in which they were penalised for every aerial ball.
He denied them what appeared to be a genuine penalty appeal in the second half when Graham Ncube was brought down while going for the kill. Masaa stunned the stadium when he overruled his second assistant who was nearer the action and instead gave Motor Action a freekick and cautioned Ncube who has become a target of poor refereeing. He gets a yellow card every time he appeals for a penalty when he is felled in the box.
Both teams felt his officiating was a cause for concern. Many fans left the stadium saying in future referees should be held accountable for causing violence at matches because of their poor officiating.
While Masaa was spoiling the afternoon at Barbourfields Stadium, Hardly Ndazi was putting on another top drawer performance in the 1-1 draw between Hwange and Chicken Inn.
“Ndazi and his team of referees gave us a flowing game, it was good officiating, we did not have complaints,” said Adam Ndlovu the Chicken Inn coach yesterday.
Last week Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze warned referees against deciding the destiny of the championship. He said the national association did not want to see another Asiagate.
Highlanders and Dynamos are aware that any slip will cost them their championship dreams.
Revived Bulawayo giants who on Sunday made a sensational 20 games unbeaten run following their 2-1 victory against Motor Action are at the top of the log with 46 points and lead Dynamos who have played a game less by three points.
Bosso got their goals from former Motor Action midfielder Bhekimpilo Ncube and Ariel Sibanda with the Mighty Bulls getting their consolation goal from Merciful Ncube.
On the same day, Dynamos condemned Gunners to murky relegation waters by clobbering them 4-0.
In a telephone interview from Harare yesterday, Dynamos’ assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya boldly declared that they were vying for the championship.
“It is not a secret that we want to defend our title and we are working very hard to realise the dream.
The remaining matches will be difficult and they will require us to work very hard as the teams that we are yet to play are no small teams,” Ndiraya said.
Unlike Highlanders who will be on the road five times in their last 10 games, Dynamos will be in Harare for seven matches which should be an advantage for them since they will enjoy massive support.
Highlanders’ remaining away matches are against city rivals Chicken Inn, Hwange, third placed Monomotapa, defending champions Dynamos, Hardbody and Blue Rangers.
In the first leg Chicken Inn held Bosso to a goalless draw, Hwange lost 1-0 to Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium with Beavan Chikaka scoring the solitary goal.
The Bulawayo giants clobbered Monomotapa 3-0 but the second leg will be tougher for Bosso as Monomotapa are third on the log with 36 points and they are championship dark horses.
The return leg against Dynamos should produce fireworks and if the two teams meet when they are tied on points, then the game will be as good as the championship decider. In Bulawayo they played to a one-all draw with Takesure Chinyama scoring for Dynamos and Milton Ncube equalising for Bosso.
DeMbare’s away matches are against Chicken Inn, Hwange and their last game of the season is against Hardbody.
Their other away games which will be played in the capital are against Harare City, Black Mambas and Monomotapa.
The Harare giants will play host to Motor Action, Shabanie Mine, Highlanders and Buffaloes.
All the remaining matches Highlanders and Dynamos are tricky and clubs that will face the two giants must expect bullish approaches from the country’s most followed teams.
Meanwhile, Chicken Inn gaffer Ndlovu blamed his goalkeeper Njabulo Nyoni for their one-all draw against Hwange.
Nyoni conceded when he made a schoolboy blunder, choosing to play with the ball instead of punching it to safety.
“We should have come home with maximum points but I don’t know what went through our goalkeeper’s (Nyoni) mind. I didn’t expect that from a senior player but anyway that is now water under the bridge and we have to focus on our remaining matches,” said Ndlovu.
derick.khumalo