Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT felt like time had stopped for Hwange football legend Twyman Ncube.
He stood still, staring at the pitch long after the final whistle had blown. What had just unfolded at White City Stadium was not only unthinkable, but deeply personal. The coal mining town’s once proud flagship team, Chipangano, had just been outplayed and outclassed by a group of teenagers from Highlanders’ developmental side, Bosso 90.
The 2-1 defeat to the Bulawayo based youngsters was more than just three points dropped. It was a symbolic fall from grace, a telling reminder that Hwange’s glory days are long gone, and the journey back to the top may be longer than hoped.
Hwange, one of the Southern Region Division One League’s most decorated sides, looked toothless and uninspired against a team of schoolboys. Adding salt to the wound, former Highlanders junior player Kelly Shiyandindi missed a crucial first half penalty that could’ve changed the complexion of the game. His tame shot was comfortably saved by the gangly and promising Bosso 90 goalkeeper, Romeo Zimbwa.
Ncube, a key figure in Hwange’s golden era of the 1960s and ‘70s, had just watched another game at the same venue, Casmyn losing 1-0 to Bulawayo Warriors. But this result hit harder.
“If you don’t teach these Bosso 90 boys a footballing lesson, you’re in trouble,” he said, visibly shaken.
“A big team must overrun small boys if it’s serious about promotion. Hwange showed none of the fire we had. Back then, we played good football, attacking, solid defending, brave goalkeeping. Today, they looked like a shadow of the team we were proud of.”
“How the mighty have fallen,” Ncube lamented. “As former players, we can’t sit and watch this decline. We must be part of the solution, whether it’s in scouting, recruitment, or mentoring. Hwange should be battling Dynamos and Highlanders, not fighting to beat a bunch of under-20s.”
Indeed, Hwange’s performance lacked urgency, fight, and tactical awareness. For a side supposedly gunning for promotion to the Premiership in 2026, they looked more like a community-sponsored weekend outfit than serious contenders.
There was no bite, no cohesion, and certainly no hunger.
In contrast, Bosso 90 were full of energy and fearless flair. Despite their modest height, most are under 1.70m, they played with heart and purpose. The team, a blend of U/17, U/18, and U/20 talent, moved the ball intelligently and were defensively organised. If anything, their only downside remains their physical stature, an issue also plaguing the Highlanders’ senior team, which often struggles against physically imposing sides in the top flight.
Adding to Hwange’s woes, their technical bench looked incomplete.
Head coach Rodwell Dhlakama was absent from the dugout and has since been unveiled for his second stint at Premiership side GreenFuel.
Hwange are now third on the log with 20 points from 11 games, far from convincing. Their local rivals Blackrock are just a point behind with a game in hand and are likely to be awarded a walkover after Arenel Ajax Hotspurs failed to pay for their scheduled White City Stadium B fixture.
Hwange’s slow slide is fast becoming Blackrock’s gain, with the new boys gaining ground both on the pitch and in popularity around the Colliery.
Elsewhere, league leaders Bulawayo Chiefs maintained their grip at the top with a commanding 3-1 win over Imbizo. Nkayi United edged Nust 1-0 to remain second. The lone goal came from Marshall Murambiwa, recently recruited from Northern Region’s Agama.
“It’s my first goal. I hope it opens the floodgates. I’m aiming to score more and help the team,” Murambiwa said after the match.
Matchday 11 Results:
Bulawayo Warriors 1–0 Casmyn; Arenel Ajax Hotspurs v Blackrock (Not played: home team failed to secure venue); Bulawayo Chiefs 3–1 Imbizo; Talen Vision 0–0 Eagle Life; Zebra Revolution 3–3 Mainline; Megawatt FC 0–0 Jordan; Nust FC 0–1 Nkayi United; Bosso 90 2–1 Hwange; Bulawayo City 2–1 Vic Falls Herentals
