What has really changed at Bosso?
FLYING Stars walked away victors as they claimed the 62nd edition of the Townshend and Butcher Trophy after beating Mat High City 2-1 in an entertaining final played at Barbourfields Outside Grounds last Sunday.
The entertaining final saw the Bulawayo Christian League-affiliated Flying Stars hold on to a first half two-goal lead and withstand Mat High City’s resurgence in the second to ensure they claim the knock-out tourney. Flying Stars coach, Lloyd Ndlovu said they came prepared to lift the cup and were happy to lift the coveted trophy.
“As we said before the final we are here to represent the Christian League and show what it is all about. I’m glad we managed to lift the trophy but Mat High City gave us a good match and a scare in the second half but I am glad the boys managed to hold on and clinch the match,” he said.
Flying Stars walked away with a full kit set and floating trophy for their efforts while Mat High City received a full kit. Guest of honour at the final, Zifa Southern Region chairman, Andrew Tapela said they will continue to promote development of football at grassroots level with areas zones being one of their focus sectors.
He paid tribute to Townshend and Butcher proprietor, Peter Leondios for continuing to sponsor the tourney even in tough times.
“As Zifa our thrust is to focus on development and as our president indicated we will be giving equipment to teams under Area Zones but
THERE has been a lot of debate as to whether new Highlanders coach Hendrik Pieter de Jongh should take full credit for the team’s resurgence.
Bosso are yet to taste defeat since de Jongh took charge at the end of last month. Highlanders started their turnaround the very week that the Dutchman arrived when they thrashed Bulawayo Chiefs 3-1 at Barbourfields Stadium. In his first official match in charge, Highlanders overcame their fierce rivals Dynamos 1-0 in a Chibuku Super Cup round of 16 fixture in Harare. Bosso followed that up with an outstanding display to thump Chicken Inn 2-0 in a league encounter. They collected a point in a 1-1 stalemate with Herentals and last Sunday they were patient enough to unlock a stubborn TelOne, with Highlanders scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to win 2-0.
Nathan Greenland, a Highlanders supporter is of the view that de Jongh has changed the way Highlanders play, with Bosso having additional swiftness and direction, which is the reason why they are scoring goals.
“Their counter attacks have got more pace, more direction, that’s why we are picking up more goals. Even this past game they could have scored four to five goals, that direct pace from the defence, the build-up is so quick now. You can see Bosso’s fitness levels, they are something else, those players are so fit,’’ said Greenland.
A former Shu-Shine, Acadia United and TK United player, Greenland feels that former Bosso coach Madinda Ndlovu managed to assemble a good team, with all that was missing being converting the chances they were creating.
“Madinda built a good team, it was just now that final third of scoring, the pace, so what this guy has done is the defence pushes up, they are now playing higher, almost by the centre circle and they are attacking, their attacks are very fast, when Skippy (MacClive Phiri) gets the ball he is looking for that cross, he is no more pushing it back, he goes down the line, he crosses.”
Another Bosso supporter, Donovan Ashborne believes the Dutchman has instilled a sense of belief in the players which was not there before his arrival.
“All I can say is it seems the boys have found new self belief, they now believe in themselves especially Adrian Silla, he is back and Nqobizitha Masuku and Prince Dube. The team is playing with more flair now. These boys didn’t believe in themselves I think, his training methods are working because there is now less running at training,’’ Ashborne said.
Char i ty
“Chunky” Dube, a die-hard they need to be registered with us. We believe there is potential to pluck players from these leagues into top flight and even national teams.
Bosso supporter thinks that de Jongh has transformed Highlanders because the team is showing more aggression. His belief is that the Dutchman is also fortunate seeing that the team played well under Madinda and Mandla Mpofu but struggled to score.
“A lot has changed, the team is now attacking, and even in the second half they come back a changed team, which means the coach has changed the boys’ mentality. Maybe the coach is also lucky, because the team was playing really well and not scoring, now they are scoring which means he is a lucky man,’’ Dube said.
With the way Highlanders are playing, Dube sees a six finish as something that they can accept as fans.
“Madinda’s team was also playing well but they were not scoring. Lulu’s team was also good but they were not scoring. De Jongh has come with goals, it’s the same team. We are looking at a top six finish at the end of the season.”
Another passionate Highlanders supporter, Duduzo “Teekay” Sibanda has seen a change in approach by de Jongh.
“What has changed is the approach, the players are now putting 100 percent because of the presence of the new coach. The players have changed their attitude, they know if they perform they will be selected. We are happy with what is happening, we appreciate all those who are contributing to the coach’s upkeep,’’ Sibanda said.
He is even dreaming of the championship next year if de Jongh remains in charge, with his only fear being losing some of the key players to foreign teams.
“We are hoping for a top eight or top six finish. We supported Lulu but he didn’t have the winning touch. Look at a player like Silla, he is playing at his best. Out of the remaining fixtures there is no intimidating game at all, our players are very fit. With this coach, we can win the championship next year,” Sibanda declared.
Highlanders face the strongest challenge to their renaissance when they face ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga Stadium on Wednesday. Some of the challenging fixtures remaining for Highlanders are the away visits to Dynamos
and FC Platinum.
Leondios has played a great role in supporting development, with the Townshend and Butcher Trophy being the longest running at 62 years while some have come and gone. I believe he deserves a place in the Southern Region Hall of Fame,” added Tapela.
The 16-team tournament this year was expanded to incorporate teams that play in leagues affiliated with the Zifa Bulawayo Province Area Zones that include Bafa, Wolanani, Bulawayo Christian League and Ntabazinduna Football Association.
Rebels go into Week 16 matches leading at the top by a five-point margin as they amassed 38 points from 15 games while Unity Village are second on 33, although they have played a game fewer than the log leaders. At the bottom of the 12-team log is Twenty Three Stars who have only managed to garner a single point from 11 games while Lobel’s who have six points from 15 games are second from bottom followed by Victory FC who have so far bagged 12 points while NGA FC has 16 points.
This week’s games will see Rebels taking on Victory FC as they seek to cement their lead while Unity Village square off against Safeguard and Anolle Casting battle Lobel’s with Mat High City fixtured against United. NGA Chronicle is up against Joker while Twenty Three Stars take on Mpilo United. All games will be played this morning at Barbourfields Outside Grounds.