The Highlanders executive on Monday evening read the riot act to the clubs’ coaches and players following their 0-1 loss to perennial rivals Dynamos in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) match in their backyard at Barbourfields Stadium.
Fortune Mbele Sports Reporter
Sources privy to a meeting held at the Bosso offices to review the match on Monday night have revealed the Highlanders top brass had no kind words for the technical department, which they accused of having no firm grip on players especially on disciplinary issues.
The meeting was, however, held in the absence of head coach Kelvin Kaindu who left Zambia for the United Kingdom to attend a Uefa B licence coaching course earlier on Monday, but is expected back in the country for Bosso’s away game against Motor Action at the weekend.
The technical team comprising Kaindu, his assistants Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu, goalkeeper’s coach Tembo Chuma and welfare manager Willard Khumalo is reportedly being accused of not reining in on player indiscipline.
This appears to have emanated from the first-half expulsion of marksman Njabulo “Tshiki” Ncube who saw red together with Dynamos defender Partson Jaure. The two players had an altercation after Jaure fouled the Bosso striker.
Midlands referee Thabani Bhamala flashed the red card on both players after Tshiki retaliated on.
The incident marking Ncube’s expulsion changed the tempo of the game and Highlanders went on to lose the match to DeMbare.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Bosso let the championship race slip away after they ceded the top spot to the champions and dropped to third place. Contenders Harare City beat Buffaloes 2-1 in Harare on Saturday.
DeMbare and the Sunshine City Boys are now at par on 48 points with Bosso a point behind as the league gets into week 27 at the weekend.
During Sunday’s match, Bosso made a tactical farce in the second half when skipper Innocent Mapuranga was stretchered off the pitch injured and was replaced at the back by Hillary Madzivanyika, who usually plays midfield, while anchorman Mthulisi Maphosa was guilty of bringing down Dynamos’ Ocean Mushure inside the box.
The foul handed DeMbare the penalty that gave them the winner a few minutes before the final whistle.
Meanwhile, Dynamos and Highlanders could court the ire of the PSL following incidents that occurred during the Sunday match.
Jaure attempted to manhandle the referee after he was given marching orders while unruly Bosso fans from the Soweto end pelted Dynamos goalkeeper George Chigova who employed time-wasting antics to contain the pressure from attacking Highlanders by intermittently faking injury.
The feat did not go down well with Bosso fans.
PSL chief executive officer Kenny Ndebele yesterday said they were still going through the match officials reports.
