Bosso confuse Madinda

BEING shunted from the position of head coach to that of technical director looks and sounds like a promotion of Lloyd Mutasa but it’s not.

It has all the hallmarks of constructive dismissal.

Instead of toasting his supposed elevation, Mutasa is reported to be shedding tears — as he normally does when it hurts — and alleging backstabbing.

Greetings good people, my apologies for last weekend’s no show.

I missed thee just as much as you missed me.

As I came back from my sabbatical to the Far East, I arrived home to news that Madinda Ndlovu Yadah Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0 Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0 HIGHLANDERS mentor Madinda Ndlovu said he could not recognise the team that was held to a goalless draw by Yadah Stars at the National Sports Stadium yesterday. Striker Newman Sianchiali’s dismal showing in front of goal epitomised Bosso’s poor day on the park as he f luffed a number of chances. “What I can say in a nutshell is that this is not the Highlanders I know,” said Ndlovu. “Coming from a defeat (1-2 against ZPC Kariba) last week I expected the boys to struggle. But in the first three minutes we had two or three good Harare . . . . . . . City . . . . .1 Nichrut FC . . . .0 . HARARE CITY never got out of first gear but a second half strike by Protasho Kabwe delivered their third Castle Lager Premier Soccer League win on the bounce at Rufaro yesterday. Kabwe volleyed in a Kudakwashe Musharu header in the 56th minute after some poor Nichrut defending. City coach Mark Harrison Bulawayo City FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Shabanie Mine FC. . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 NEW Bulawayo City coach, Amini Soma-Phiri began his tenure at the club on a positive note, raking in maximum points against 10-man Shabanie in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Barbourfields yesterday.

Goals on either side of the break from Sipho Ndlovu and Toto Banda delivered victory.

Shabanie finished the game with 10-man after Ali Maliselo was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Soma-Phiri chose not to dwell on his impressive start, insisting that FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0 Triangle United . . . . . . . . . . 0 FC PLATINUM coach Norman Mapeza last week told the media that his team’s next five fixtures have the potential to shape his men’s destiny.

A home win in the first of those five games, against Triangle United at Mandava yesterday, would have set the tone for a good run but the defending champions were lethargic as they failed to unlock a visiting team that finished the game a man short. The miners were given a major boost in the 67th minute after Arnold Chivheya was given his marching orders for a second yellow card by blundering referee of the day, Nkosana Nduna. chances and I thought maybe I was wrong to expect us struggle. “We are lucky, very lucky to get a point because Yadah could have won this game. We have injuries of course but I don’t think that contributed to today’s (yesterday’s) game. It was a very bad day in office.” Bosso were indeed lucky to go back to Bulawayo with a point as their former son Ralph Matema a constant menace upfront for Yadah. Matema twice forced brilliant saves from Ariel Sibanda and the veteran striker says he was inspired to score against his former team. “I was very much motivated, playing against Highlanders you don’t need anybody to tell you what it means. “You just find yourself saying ‘ it’s a big game and I need to be on point’. Ariel is a great goalie and he kept his team in the game,” said Matema. His coach Thomas Ruzive was happy to collect a point after their 0-5 drubbing away to Ngezi last week.“The guys showed determination considering we are coming from a heavy defeat. We didn’t convert our chances but I am content with how we played as we as the point we picked up” said Ruzive.

Bosso had a bright start and should have taken the lead in the early exchanges, but their off- form striker Sianchiali failed to beat an outdrawn Yadah goal keeper Stephen Chimusoro.

Sianchiali’s poor first half performance continued when he made a heavy touch with the keeper to beat following a gaffe by Yadah’s burly defender Byron Madzokere.

Madzokere’s weak header back to the goal keeper fell short but Sianchali was in no mood to score.

Yadah almost got the lead three minutes before the breather but Willard Kalongonda’s strike hit the post.

In the 58th minute Gabriel Nyoni made a fine run into the box but his shot was smothered by Chimusoro.

Matema almost punished his former team with a close range turn and volley but Sibanda parried it was sublimely in the 75th minute.

In search of a winner Madinda Ndlovu moved right back McClive Phiri into central attack but Yadah held firm for a point they celebrated.

Teams Yadah

: S Chimusoro, W Kalongoda, W Chakanyuka ( B Mapfumo 82nd), J Dzingai, A Makopa, B Madzokere, M Makopa, C Sekete( J Sibanda 71st), L Mavunga ( LMurape 60th), M ZPC Kariba 1-1 Mutare City Harare City 1-0 Nichrut Yadah Stars 0-0 Highlanders FC Platinum 0-0 Triangle Bulawayo City 2-0 Shabanie Mine Caps United v Ngezi Platinum Stars (NSS), Chapungu v Chicken Inn (Ascot), Bulawayo Chiefs v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Black Rhinos v Herentals (Rufaro) P W D L 10 8 2 0 11 8 2 1 11 6 3 2 11 6 2 3 11 5 5 1 10 5 4 1 10 4 4 2 11 3 3 5 10 2 5 3 11 2 5 4 11 3 1 7 10 2 4 4 10 2 3 5 11 1 6 4 11 1 6 4 10 2 3 5 10 2 2 6 11 1 4 6 Ngezi Platinum Stars FC Platinum Highlanders Triangle United Harare City Chicken Inn Caps United Nichrut Bulawayo Chiefs Yadah Stars Bulawayo City Black Rhinos Dynamos Shabanie Mine ZPC Kariba Herentals Chapungu Mutare City Chiwara, R Matema

Sibanda, C Siamalonga, H Moyo, M Phiri, B Banda, N Sianchali ( T Lunga 73rd), P Musaka, G Makaruse (M Ndlovu 86th), A Mbeba (R Lunga 53rd) Kabila, P Muduhwa, G Nyoni

Highlanders: A

first half and we should have capitalised on the chances. I think that is something we have to work on,” said Nyikadzino

Nichrut dominated proceedings in the first half and came close to surging ahead in the 29th minute when a James Chivasa effort was denied by the woodwork.

They continued to press, only to fail in the final third with Nhongo and Tatenda Hapazari as the main culprits. FC: F 16 15 13 12 10 13 13 12 10 9 12 5 9 11 6 4 7 9 A GD PTS 2 14 26 4 10 26 7 6 21 8 4 20 6 4 20 7 6 19 9 4 16 13 -1 12 11 -1 12 16 -7 11 12 0 10 8 -3 10 12 -3 9 17 -6 9 12 -6 9 10 -6 9 14 -7 8 14 -5 7