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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Chiefs FC did exactly what one would expect from leaderless troops which is to fail.
Amakhosi Amahle suffered a humiliating home defeat to Green Fuel FC at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday. Two first half goals by Nqobile Ndlovu and Bukhosi Sibanda were enough to ensure that the Rodwell Dhlakama coached Green Fuel get three valuable points on the road.
The defeat for Bulawayo Chiefs keeps them in eighth position with 17 points from 13 matches. They are winless in their last four games with two defeats and as many stalemates.
Coach Lizwe Sweswe watched the game from the terraces with rumours suggesting he may not sit on the Chiefs dugout again.
Sweswe is said to have a number of grievances with the club including non-payment of his salary in the last three or so months. What appears to have been the deal breaker between him and his paymasters is the club’s decision to release former FC Platinum defender William Stima and veteran striker Kuda Musharu without his approval.
Three unnamed players are on the list to leave the club. Bulawayo Chiefs communications officer Thulani Javas Sibanda says Sweswe’s absence on the bench was due to him attending to personal matters.
“The coach has personal issues which he is attending to which is why he was not on the bench,” said Sibanda.
Sweswe watched the match from the terraces as goalkeepers’ trainer Nkosiyazi Ncube ran the show on the bench.
It was apparent that there was no leader on the technical end as the home team played below par.
Approached for comment on the terraces, Sweswe declined to comment on why he was not on the bench.
“I am not in a position to comment,” said Sweswe.
Interim coach Ncube said: “I think it was a game we should have managed in the first half but we could not do that. We gave away two soft goals. We did not defend well in those two goals. In the second half, we tried to improve,” said Ncube. His opposite number Dhlakama was happy to have collected three points on the road.
“I would like to give credit to the boys. I think that break was a blessing in disguise for us. We saw the tenacity and the enthusiasm from the players and l am generally happy with the performance,” said Dhlakama.
Ndlovu gave the visitors a well-deserved lead heading in a 28th-minute cross from Collins Dhuwa. Sibanda doubled the lead in the 40th minute finishing off a sleek move that involved Xolisani Moyo, with Ndlovu providing the final pass.
Green Fuel showed intent to score from the first whistle as they pressed their opponents in an entertaining encounter.
Ndlovu fluffed a scoring opportunity in the second minute, taking a weak shot at goal, failing to test Bulawayo Chiefs goalkeeper Khulekani Dube.
McClive Phiri’s sixth-minute strike was saved by Bulawayo Chiefs goalkeeper Dube. In the 27th minute, Bulawayo Chiefs made their first attempt at goal from a free-kick that Mthokozisi Msebe tried to pocket at the top corner.
A minute later, Ndlovu struck.
Meanwhile in Mhondoro-Ngezi, Ngezi Platinum Stars maintained their impressive run at Baobab Stadium with a 2-1 win over Premiership returnees Hwange yesterday.
Two first half goals from centre back Kudzai Chigwida and bustling striker Tinotenda Murasiranwa gave Ngezi Platinum the all-important win and saw the Mhondoro-based team maintain pole position on the Castle Lager Premier League table.
Marceline Mlilo ensured that Hwange did not return home empty-handed with a second half-strike.
At Gibbo Stadium in the Eastern Lowveld, Manica Diamonds edged 1-0 courtesy of a Gerald Bhero goal.
At Kamhunga Stadium in Kariba ZPC Kariba beat Yadah FC 2-1.
Full-Time Results:
Bulawayo Chiefs 0-2 Green Fuel, Manica Diamonds 1-0 Sheasham, FC Platinum 2-0 Chicken Inn, Ngezi Platinum 2-1 Hwange, ZPC Kariba 2-1 Yadah
— @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter