Historic eight eludes Bosso

A�Fungai Muderere
HIGHLANDERSa�� hopes of clinching the Independence Cup title for a record eight times were extinguished on Monday deep in the bowels of the giant National Sports Stadium after they went down 2-1 to red-hot Chicken Inn.

The derby cup final match that was, however, played outside Bulawayo could have seen Erol Akbaya��s Bosso charges make history in 2016, a year in which they are celebrating their 90th anniversary while the country is commemorating 36 years of freedom from colonial rule.

a�?While we would have loved to win it for a record eight times and we were so unfortunate. Our boys gave a good fight against Chicken Inn. As a club we say congratulations to Chicken Inn for their first Independence Trophy. We will bounce back stronger next time,a�? said Bosso chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede.

Bosso and their old nemesis Dynamos have each won the Uhuru Cup seven times with the Glamour Boys clinching the inaugural trophy in 1983 and retaining it in the following year.

It was theirs in 1990, 1995, 2004, 2010 and 2013.

Highlanders took it in 1986.

Their 1986 Independence Cup triumph was not just a victory on the field of play, it also afforded them an opportunity to meet the countrya��s then Prime Minister, Robert Mugabe.

They had, 24 hours earlier booted out local rivals Zimbabwe Saints 3-2 after extra time in a tense semi-final match played under floodlights at Barbourfields Stadium. Bosso scored their goals through their then captain Willard Khumalo (late), Tobias Mudyambanje and Netsai Moyo while Chauya Chikwata got their goals through Joseph Machingura and Henry Mckop.

After that Thursday night win, Highlanders reportedly took the next morning flight headed for the capital where Caps United were waiting following their 2-1 win over Arcadia United with their goals coming from Anthony Kambani and Shackman Tauro.

Arcadiaa��s goal came from Alban Masikani.

Bosso went on to beat Makepekepe 2-1. Dumisani Savimbi Nyoni scored Highlandersa�� equaliser in the final beating Brenna Msiska who was in goals for the Green Machine who had taken the lead through Oscar Motsi.

Seventy minutes into the game, substitute Netsai Moyo provided a pass to an advancing Nyoni who nodded home the equaliser beating Msiska. The goal forced the match into extra time and pushed Bosso closer to the Prime Ministera��s hand.

Seconds before fulltime, now late Mercedes Rambo Sibanda had his goal disallowed but that reportedly did not stop Tshilamoya from walking onto the podium to lift their first Independence Cup and in the process shake hands with Prime Minister Mugabe.

Mudyambanje, according to a Chronicle match report, a�?flashed in a header four minutes before the end of extra time. It was late but it was a winner and it clinched for Highlanders the sparkling Independence Cup in a see-saw final before a jam packed crowd at Rufaro Stadiuma�?.

Captain Willard Khumalo laid the first hands to Bossoa��s first of the seven Independence Cups.

Bosso had in 1983, lost the inaugural final 1-2 to arch-rivals Dynamos. Legend Douglas Mloyi scored Bossoa��s first Independence Cup final goal in that loss.

Highlanders went on to win the Independence Cup in 1988, 1991, 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2011.

In 2011, Bosso finally managed to break the five-year Dynamos jinx after beating their long-time football nemesis in a penaltyA� shoot-out to lift the Independence Trophy at the National Sports Stadium.

The Bulawayo football giants had recovered from a nervy start to the penalty shootout where Innocent Mapurangaa��s penalty kick was saved by the DeMbare goalkeeper Washington Arubi but Lawson Nkomo, Misheck Mburayi, Gilbert Banda and Njabulo a�?Tshikia�? Ncube (all ex Bosso players) remained cool and found the target.

Guthrie Zhokinyi, who had missed a penalty earlier in the game, failed to atone for that mistake and skied his effort in the penalty shootout.

Desmond Maringwa was given the responsibility to take the decisive kick but dragged his effort wide to send the Highlanders faithful into delirium. David Kutyauripo, Farai Vimisai and George Magariro had converted for Dynamos.

For their efforts, Highlanders were presented with a trophy and $12 000 while Dynamos got an $8 000 consolation.

Independence Cup Previous winners are
1983 : Dynamos (Harare)
1984 : Dynamos (Harare)
1985 : Zonal match
1986 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
1987 : Black Rhinos (Harare)
1988 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
1989 : Zim Saints (Bulawayo)
1990 : Dynamos (Harare)
1991 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
1992 : CAPS United (Harare)
1993 : CAPS United (Harare)
1994 : Chapungu United (Gweru)
1995 : Dynamos (Harare)
1996 : CAPS United (Harare)
1997 : CAPS United (Harare)
1998 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
1999 : AmaZulu (Bulawayo)
2000 : No cup held
2001 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
2002 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
2003 : Black Rhinos (Harare)
2004 : Dynamos (Harare)
2005 : Motor Action
2006 : Masvingo Utd (Masvingo)
2007 : Masvingo Utd (Masvingo)
2008 : Shooting Stars
2009:Njube Sundowns (Gwanda)
2010 : Dynamos (Harare)
2011 : Highlanders (Bulawayo)
2012 : Platinum (Zvishavane)
2013 : Dynamos (Harare)
2014 : Platinum (Zvishavane)
2015: Platinum (Zvishavane)
2016: Chicken Inn (Bulawayo)