Online Reporter
Tongai Mashonga at Chahwanda Stadium
Hardrock FC 1-0 Bulawayo Chiefs
REFEREE Lawrence Zimondi has alleged that Bulawayo Chiefs captain Melikhaya Ncube slapped him during chaotic scenes that erupted after the Ninjas’ 1-0 Chibuku Super Cup defeat to Hardrock at Chahwanda Stadium yesterday.
Zimondi and his assistants, Luckson Mhara and Victor Kambazo, were surrounded by Chiefs players after the final whistle. Ncube was shown a red card before Zimondi reported the alleged assault to the Zimbabwe Republic Police and match commissioner Norman Matemere.
It was not immediately clear what triggered the confrontation. Efforts to obtain Ncube’s response to the allegation were unsuccessful by the time of going to print.
Asked about the conduct of the match officials, Chiefs coach John Nyikadzino, who entered the field to calm his players, said his focus remained on coaching.
“That’s not my area. The officials have the final say. My area is to coach football. I don’t coach referees. Emotions run high after the game. That’s why I was there to try to cool the tempers. We support referees. We need them and they need us.”
The confrontation overshadowed Hardrock’s progression to the quarter-finals, secured by captain Tinotenda Muringai’s 36th-minute penalty. Chiefs were not intimidated by Hardrock’s more experienced side and matched the hosts for long periods of the contest.
With Prince Dube sidelined through injury, Hardrock turned to Washington Navaya and Sambulo Simelane in attack, while Yeki Khumalo and Thubelihle Mavuso provided support from midfield.
Khumalo registered the first meaningful attempt after 20 minutes, firing into the side-netting before Simelane headed narrowly wide.
At the other end, Gonclaves Domingos Chissele forced Martin Mapisa into a fine save, with the Hardrock goalkeeper tipping his powerful effort behind for a corner.
Hardrock broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Navaya was brought down inside the penalty area.
Muringai stepped up and sent Wallace Magalane the wrong way from the spot.
Chiefs responded with one of their best attacking moves of the match, but Mapisa turned Brian Muza’s effort behind for a corner.
Hardrock enjoyed more possession after the break, with Khumalo and Mavuso posing a threat down the flanks, but Chiefs remained compact and dangerous on the counter-attack.
Simelane struck the upright before making way for Samuel Makawa in the 66th minute.
Muringai later volleyed onto the roof of the net as Hardrock searched for a second goal.
Chiefs created openings on the counter through Clive Rupiya and substitute Andre Jose Domingos, but neither was able to find the equaliser.
Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu admitted his side had struggled to produce their usual brand of football but was pleased to secure progression.
“What is important is that we progressed to the next round. We knew our opponents would come and play a defensive game. They used a low block, and it was difficult for us. We didn’t play our usual game. We created a few chances and lacked a bit of flair and the ability to go forward, but we managed to win.”
Nyikadzino believed Chiefs had been the better side despite the defeat.
“It’s a painful defeat after playing so well. We conceded from the penalty spot. I thought we would come back, but we failed. We created more chances than them, apart from the penalty. We were the better side as far as the match was concerned, but at the end of the day, goals are what count.”
