HOW Mine coach Luke Masomere has raised concern over “unfair” officiating ahead of the big Bulawayo football derby pitting his team How Mine against giants Highlanders on Sunday.
BY THANDIWE MOYO
Masomere has bemoaned alleged wrong decisions that have gone against his side each time they have faced Bosso.
The outspoken gaffer said this ahead of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) match against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium this Sunday.
“We are doing well in terms of preparations, but we are worried about how the match will be handled. We have played Highlanders this season and I was not happy with a number of decisions. There were a lot of questionable decisions that were made against us,” said Masomere.
He complained particularly about their league match in June where the two teams played out a 1-1 draw with Bosso profiting from a penalty decision.
“The ground is not level when we play against Highlanders. We do not know whether it’s a question of the referees being afraid of Highlanders supporters, but referees should always be neutral,” he said.
Masomere said his side is prepared for a tough battle against the former champions who are desperate to climb up the league log. “I am not saying we will win the match against Highlanders, but what I can promise is that we will give them a good game.
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Highlanders are a good team, but what makes them play badly is that they rely on referees,” he said.
Masomere has been boosted by the return of Mgcini Sibanda and Nefitary Ndale, who have recovered from injuries that kept them out last week.
He said Gilbert Banda, who is also set to face a disciplinary committee hearing over his arrest at the weekend, could make the team.
“He (Banda) is training with the team, he could make it into the final squad. Nobody is perfect and whatever decision that will be made will be professional,” said Masomere.
Highlanders, on the other hand, will be without King Nadolo and Honest Moyo, who will be serving a one-match suspension for accumulating three yellow cards.
Following their disappointing exit from the Chibuku Super Cup last weekend, Highlanders will be hoping to make amends.
Since the start of the season, Highlanders and How Mine have met three times and as it stands they have won once against each other and drawn once.
The two played in the ZNA Charities Shield in March and Thomas Chideu scored the only goal of the match.
Highlanders and How Mine later played in the PSL and drew 1-1 with Timothy January scoring for the latter while the former got the equaliser from Knox Mutizwa.
Their last encounter was last weekend when How Mine beat Highlanders 4-3 on penalties.
Under Bongani Mafu, Bosso have struggled to win at Barbourfields Stadium with the last victory at the venue having come on May 24 against WhaWha 2-0.
This was also Highlanders’ last win as they have drawn five times and lost once since then.
Bosso drew with How Mine, Triangle and Dynamos at home and registered another draw against FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium. They lost to Dynamos in Harare 3-2 under controversial circumstances.
Highlanders are currently ninth on the log standings with 22 points while How Mine are third with 29 points, three behind log leaders Triangle.
How Mine started the season slowly, but managed to pick themselves to emerge genuine title contenders.
