Highlanders (1) 1 ZPC Kariba (1) 3
SPORTS REPORTER
THE world came crushing on Highlanders and their embattled coach Kelvin Kaindu yesterday as irate fans threw missiles demanding his head following the loss to ZPC Kariba in an exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League game at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds.
Police had to fire teargas canisters at some Highlanders fans from the AmaZulu Stadium end who had streamed to the wings and thrown missiles onto the pitch with players and coaches from either side remaining in the centre circle under the protection of the law enforcement agents.
ZPC Kariba players Tawanda Nyamandwe, Terrence Gonzo and an Under-14 Bosso player, who was a ball boy during the match, were injured during the mêlée.
Kaindu remained holed up in the dressing room two hours after the match and there were unconfirmed reports that he had told the players they were seeing the last of him before he quit. Rumours last night said he had already quit. The Zambian denied that.
The team’s executive meeting is tonight and judging by comments from the club’s chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede, yesterday’s match was certainly his last at the Bulawayo giants.
The power utility side’s veteran striker Limited Chikafa grabbed a brace inside six minutes in the second half with the third goal coming from Pride Tafirenyika as early as the second minute. Bosso had equalised with a Rahman Kutsanzira header in the 23rd minute off a Charles Sibanda corner-kick and the match was evenly balanced for the first half, but the hosts lost it in the second half with ZPC Kariba dominating play.
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After they were escorted off the pitch by police, ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka said it had been a good game, but insisted they were still not gunning for the championship.
“It was a well-played game where ZPC showed character. We absorbed the pressure well after they (Highlanders) equalised and we came in a better side in the second half. We diffused their wings where they are usually strong and we were in control. I would like to think that we are not chasing after the title, but we are in for a top-four finish,” Chaminuka said.
On the disturbances, Chaminuka said: “Highlanders are a big club and if they are to be humiliated in front of their home crowd like that, what can you expect?”
Kaindu said he was not under pressure at all insisting no club had been declared champions yet.
“We tried our best, but we could have done better. Nothing was going through my mind as the fans went violent. There is no need to be emotional. When you are doing something that you are good at, it must not stress you. I have done well at Highlanders,” Kaindu said.
ZPC’s first goal appeared to have been an own goal by Felix Chindungwe, but referee Arnold Ncube gave it Tafirenyika who tapped the ball in from an Elvis Meleka cross.
Chikafa collected a long ball from goalkeeper Tendai Hove and powered a volley past an advancing Ariel Sibanda in the 54th minute before his flashing header in the 60th minute.
Teams Highlanders: A Sibanda, W Chingodza, B Kangwa, D Ndlovu, E Mudzingwa, F Chindungwe, R Kutsanzira, J Ngodzo (P Manhanga 63rd minute), N Ncube (W Ndiweni 64th minute), C Sibanda, S Sithole (O Zibande 74th minute)
ZPC Kariba: T Hove, D Phiri, P Muzondo, D Dauda, E Mwinga, T Munyanduri, E Meleka, P Tafirenyika, T Gonzo (N Mkwerazemba 79th minute), T Nyamandwe, L Chikafa (M Makanje 82nd minute)
