Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
THE hype before the Highlanders clash with Scottland in the Castle Lager Premiership lived up to the billing with a very big crowd of slightly over 13 000 at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Highlanders’ share of the spoils was US$45 000 leaving the Bosso management vindicated over their decision to make the most out of the tie. They may have let slip two points in an agonising manner, but they took cash to their coffers.
A total number of 90 police officers was deployed to man the game with two sets of escorts accompanying the teams from their respective camping lodges.
Highlanders’ chief executive officer Brian Moyo confirmed the figures and had praises for the crowd that attended the match that grossed over US$70 000.
“It was a good crowd that we witnessed,” said Moyo.
Bulawayo City Council, owners of the facility, had all the reasons to smile to the bank after pocketing US$12 000 from the game.
Moyo could not avail figures of what the PSL, Zifa, Sport and Recreation Commission, Zimra, private security, ticket checkers, cashiers and treasurer were paid.
Sunday’s turnout was one of the best at the stadium in recent years confirming Scottland’s stature and impact on the domestic scene.
The Harare side has attracted crowds of 7 000 and 8000 in their opening home fixtures at Rufaro Stadium.
Bulawayo was to be the litmus test.
Pass they did with a determined performance before a vociferous home crowd that surpassed itself with the great behaviour exhibited despite about three calls that did not favour them, one of which was a penalty call that the referee of the day and his assistant did not call out.
Highlanders will consider themselves lucky that their goalkeeper horrible on aerial balls all afternoon survived with a yellow card after a dangerous lunge at an opponent in the second half. The goalkeeper had rushed out of goal early and in a desperate situation went for broke with a seemingly deliberate dangerous take on the man.
He proved a hero because his goal was unattended and had he been beaten, Scottland would have scored.
Scottland’s effect on the local scene got the biggest endorsement when Barbourfields Stadium responded. It was not the numbers on the terraces only, but a decent game of football, refereeing and the superb discipline of the fans of either side.
That despite the tension and pregnancy of expectation by the more than 14 000 (media estimate), it was a smooth sailing contest which perhaps a draw was the fairest result.
The game itself played before the biggest crowd so far in the Premiership, was a ding-dong affair with little goalmouth action as most of the build-ups were dealt with in the middle of the park, where Mason Mushore for Highlanders shone like a beacon.
Outstanding for the visitors was Simba Bhora’s outstanding defensive cog for the championship season winning side, Tichaona Chipunza whose dominance with Vassili Kawe in midfield was plausible.
While the scoreline hurt the Bosso faithful, it was perhaps the best for two clubs that toiled for joy.
Super football atmosphere with a great crowd, the match may not have been the spectacle watched before at the facility featuring clubs of the past AmaZulu, Dynamos, CAPS United and Zimbabwe Saints where the terraces would be on fire and breathtaking performances on the field.
The crowd and atmosphere was good advertisement for the local game.
