WATCH?: ‘I’m sorry, I was misled’

HIGHLANDERS Football Club coach Baltemar Brito has apologised for “speaking in emotions” and slamming match officials as well as the “system” after last weekend’s 0-0 Premier Soccer League draw against Simba Bhora.

In his post-match interview, Brito felt that referee Allan Bhasvi and second assistant Michael Zulu of Hwange connived to frustrate his side, while praising Simba Bhora for a good show.

Brito, who has been vocal in registering his disappointment on opponents who employ time wasting tactics, felt that Simba Bhora gave a good account of football before a satisfactory crowd at Barbourfields.

However, the 79th decision to deny them a goal by a spot-on Zulu who adjudged that Highlanders forward Lynoth Chikuhwa was offside when he headed in a McKinnnon Mushore cross from the right was one of the incidents that Brito felt his team was robbed of maximum points.

“Another one, we know that we’re playing against opponents and other circumstances because if you make a report of things that are happening first of all we had the Dynamos game cancelled. Secondly, Sheasham we played and now they ban the stadium. Thirdly, the referee, no offside, no extra time, no penalty. We’re playing against the system. So, we will try to do our best because we’re the warriors and the warriors always fight to the last minute. If they don’t like Highlanders they should say,” said Brito immediately after the Simba Bhora game at Barbourfields Stadium.

After probably cooling off his temper and watching video replays, the Highlanders coach humbled himself to apologise for his comments.

“I want to apologise because at the end of the match (against Simba Bhora) I said the referee and the system are against us. I want to apologise because after the game, the people came and told me that the goal was a clean goal, no offside goal, which is not true.

“Normally, I don’t speak after the games because at times we speak with emotions. So, I want to apologise, I need to say sorry to the referee.

“There was a big improvement in terms of extra time (added time) because the referee gave seven minutes. I said in the last conference that these kinds of improvements start in Harare and they are now in Bulawayo because the guy added seven minutes. I spoke with my emotions, I need to say sorry to him and people involved in football.

“We didn’t draw because the opponent wasted time, we need to again congratulate Simba for the good approach they had to the game. We drew because of other circumstances in football,” Brito said.

The Highlanders coach said they have been working on their offensive organisation in a bid to address their scoring problems.

Bosso, who have scored six goals in eight matches, failed to find the back of the net in their last two matches which ended by identical 0-0 score lines against Sheasham and Simba Bhora.

The last player to score for Highlanders was Washington Navaya when they laboured to a 1-0 home win against Hwange.

Bosso have every reason to believe that they will come out of the National Sports Stadium with maximum points as they have won on their two last visits to the capital.

Highlanders beat Black Rhinos 1-0 and Yadah 2-0 in the two matches that they have played at the National Sports Stadium this season.

However, Highlanders who failed to beat Cranborne Bullets home and away last season, playing to a 2-2 draw at Barbourfields Stadium and 1-1 at Rusape’s Vengere Stadium, need to be wary of their opponents.

Cranborne Bullets are bubbling with confidence as they are seeking a third consecutive victory. They won their last two matches against Simba Bhora and Greenfuel by identical 1-0 scorelines.

Coincidentally, both wins for Cranborne Bullets who are fourth from the bottom of the table with eight points in nine outings were played at the National Sports Stadium.

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Matchday 10 fixtures

Today: Yadah v Herentals College (National Sports Stadium)

Tomorrow: Greenfuel FC v Black Rhinos (Gibbo), FC Platinum v ZPC Kariba (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Luveve), Cranborne Bullets v Highlanders (National Sports Stadium)

Sunday: Dynamos v Manica Diamond (National Sports Stadium), Sheasham v Caps United (Mandava), Hwange v Triangle United (Colliery)

Monday: Simba Bhora v Bulawayo Chiefs (National Sports Stadium)
– @ZililoR