Bosso legends beat Byo select

Sport
THEMBALETHU Foundation based in the United Kingdom made strides in recognising former football players by organising a charity match pitting Highlanders legends and a Bulawayo legends select which was played at White City Stadium

THEMBALETHU Foundation based in the United Kingdom made strides in recognising former football players by organising a charity match pitting Highlanders Football Club legends and a Bulawayo legends select which was played at White City Stadium on Sunday. Ronald Moyo OWN CORRESPONDENT

The match was an honour to football legends who played for Bulawayo-based teams.

In an emotional speech read on behalf of the organisers, Siko Ndlovu — based in the UK — recognised the late Warriors, Highlanders and Zimbabwe international striker Adam “Adamski” Ndlovu who died in a car crash in December last year.

“It is not good for people to honour you when you are gone. We have to do it now and show some respect for your talent. We wish we could source some funding and have the event every now and then.

“We cannot live to forget our legend Adam Ndlovu and all others who are gone. The truth is we love them all, they will never depart from our hearts” the speech read.

Highlanders legends narrowly beat Bulawayo select 5-4 to win the Golden Oldies Tournament. Bosso legends who dominated the first half got their first goal from Collins Nyambiya who tapped home a Thabani Masawi curling cross a few seconds into the match.

Nyambiya completed his brace in the first half while Edmore “MaMkhwebu” Sibanda made it 3-0 in favour of Bosso before Johannes Ngodzo pulled one back for the Bulawayo select.

Zimbabwe Saints legend Agent Sawu made it 3-2 coming from the break before Nkululeko “Chunky” Dlodlo made it 4-2 for the Bosso legends.

Sawu grabbed another from a free-kick to make it 4-3 before Nyambiya completed a hat-trick to put the Bosso legends on a 5-3 lead.

Chikwata’s legend Sawu reduced the deficit to end the match on a 5-4 score-line.

The outgoing Highlanders assistant coach Bekithemba “Super” Ndlovu, Methembe “Mayor” Ndlovu, Gift Lunga (Jr), Alexander Phiri, Siza Khoza, Johannes Tshuma, Douglas Mloyi, Simon Sibanda and Melusi Sibanda were part of the players that once donned the Highlanders black and white colours, who played in the match.

The Bulawayo select had the likes of Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda who was voted man-of-the match, Lizwe Sweswe, Dazzy Kapenya, Joseph Ngwenya, Chipo Tsodzo, Aubrey Sawuramba and Sikhumbuzo Banda.

For winning the match, Highlander’s legends were rewarded with medals and a trophy while the runners-up walked away with medals.

Tshuma was awarded best goalkeeper accolade, as he displayed some reflex saves although he was caught off-guard in less than 10 seconds into the second half, allowing Sawu’s shot from the centre circle to hit the back of the net.

Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele was the guest of honour at the event.

Among the guests was Zifa Bulawayo Province chairman Horace Ndubiwa and legends Gibson Homela, Cosmas Zulu, Rahman Gumbo, Zenzo Moyo and event organiser Marko Dube, among others.