Toothless weekend for Bulawayo teams

IF Bulawayo’s four teams-Highlanders, Chicken Inn, Arenel Movers and Bulawayo Chiefs-could be judged by the number of goals they each scored in the past Castle Lager Premier Soccer League weekend, then it is safe to say the overall performances were dismal. Bosso fell to Yadah on a 2-0 scoreline.

Chicken Inn also failed to find the back of the net when they drew nil all against Herentals. Again, Bulawayo Chiefs failed to score against Manica Diamonds. In another yet dismal display, Arenel Movers failed to score when they went down to Chegutu Pirates. Former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns midfield magician Khama Billiat, now with Yadah Stars, seemed determined to not only silence his critics, but also to justify calls for his return to the Warriors fold.

Billiat was reportedly adjudged man of the match after scoring and providing an assist as Yadah stunned Highlanders at Heart Stadium on Saturday.

It was Billiat’s sixth goal and fourth assist for the season. Fans, who braved the cold weather at the Heart Stadium, were treated to some good football by both teams, who played an entertaining brand and had no complaints against the hike in entry charges.

“We are creating a lot of chances, which we are not converting and this is something which is worrying. It was a painful defeat for us because after winning last week we felt that we are back to winning ways, but it was not to be the case,” said Bosso head coach, Kelvin Kaindu. Chicken Inn have been blowing hot and cold in a campaign that saw them post their eighth draw of the season against 10th placed Herentals College.

It was a dull affair and Gamecocks assist coach Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi said: “To be honest with you, please give all the blame to me. I will take the blame, I will take the heat. I am a renowned goalscorers’ coach and I have to keep on working hard on the guys and do much better. So, all the blame, give it to me. I have to improve these guys’ conversion rate.”

Bulawayo Chiefs head coach, Thulani Sibanda felt they could have won their game against Manica Diamonds. “It’s a game we wanted to win. It’s a game we could have won. Of course we knew we could not go 50-50 with these guys in terms of their physical stature as our team is made up of players with a small body frame. With a bit of composure, we could have buried them,” said Sibanda.

Manica Diamonds had a depleted technical team as head coach, Jairos Tapera is with the Warriors at the on-going Cosafa Cup tournament in South Africa while assistant coach, Tafadzwa Mashiri had a bereavement to attend leading to Patrick Mandizha taking charge of the game. “I am happy that we managed to get a point away from home, which is good for us going forward.

I’m quite happy with the substitutions that we made, they managed to improve our attack. In the first-half we were rotating the ball at the back and failing to penetrate the midfield and also in attack, we created numerous chances but failed to capitalise.

The guys that came in also couldn’t assist us in getting the result,” said Mandizha. Meanwhile, second from the bottom-placed Hwange managed to collect a point against visiting PSL newboys Bikita Minerals.

Chipangano were smarting from a 1-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Highlanders.

Matchday 17 Results

Chegutu Pirates 1-0 Arenel Movers, Chicken Inn 0-0 Herentals, Dynamos 1-0 Greenfuel, Hwange 2-2 Bikita Minerals, TelOne 1-1 FC Platinum, Bulawayo Chiefs 0-0 Manica Diamonds, Ngezi Platinum 3-2 CAPS United, Simba Bhora 1-0 ZPC Kariba, Yadah 2-0 Highlanders-@FungaiMuderere.