The skies opened but not for Madinda

Highlanders 0 – 0 Cranborne Bullets

ON an afternoon that the Bulawayo skies opened and blessed the residents of the City of Kings, Highlanders coach Madinda Ndlovu and the esteemed Bosso family failed to put smiles on the faces of the home fans.

It was an afternoon when the skies opened on a sunny Sunday day that later suddenly turned dark and rainy even for Bosso when a missed penalty by Ariel Sibanda, was the difference between a win and a draw.

For the first time in many years, the Soweto and Empankweni Ends, the designated home stands for Bosso, the vociferous stands that Bosso players on their stands — were pushed to the VIP area by pounding rains.

“We needed to collect all the points and we are very much sorry to our fans. We should have penetrated them and scored more goals,” said Bosso strikers coach Joel Luphahla who was standing in for Ndlovu in the post-match conference.

Luphahla, an ex-Bosso and Warriors star, was quick to mention that while the penalty was missed by their goalkeeper and captain Sibanda, penalties by nature could go either way.

The trusted Sibanda was to blow their mission, on an afternoon when they thought the fruitful juggernaut was sent to renounce as he sent his effort over the bar much to the disgruntlement of the fans who had braved the weather.

“Penalties are bound to be missed and it happens in any football match. We could have scored that one and won the match but it was unfortunate,” said Luphahla.

Bosso are winless in their last four encounters, losing twice and managing two stalemates.

As a result they are now eight points behind table toppers Ngezi Platinum Stars.

His opposite number Sam Mavhenyengwa, who took over from Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera, reckoned it was a point gained for them.

“We still have sevens to play and 21 games to play for. We need not to drop more points now. I’m glad the boys are still believing in themselves,” said Mavhenyengwa.

Teams
Highlanders:A Sibanda, M Chigumira, R Kutsanzira, C Chigonero (W Navaya, 35mins), R Lunga (P Ndlovu, 80mins), M Mushore, B Manhire, A Mbeba, E Farasi (S Ngala, 65mins), M Ndlovu, M Ncube

Cranborne Bullets:V Jabangwe, X Janatana, N Gurende, M Mushangwe, N Kupara, E Zinyama, M Madzuku, A Ngwena, B Muzondiwa, W Taderera, T Meke (L Daka, 69 mins)
— @FungaiMuderere