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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
CHARLES Sibanda has been given a lifeline by Highlanders FC who accepted his apology for his impudent act when he was substituted during the team’s 0-1 Premiership defeat to Chicken Inn last Sunday.

The Premiership leading goal scorer with 12 goals to his account was substituted after 53 minutes after a tepid performance and with his replacement Knox Mutizwa waiting by the touchline, Sibanda shot straight to the dressing room without shaking hands or encouraging his teammate, much to the coach’s chagrin.

Sibanda issued an apology immediately after the match which he followed up with a letter to the club.

Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede said the club decided to give the striker another chance after he showed he was remorseful.

The player’s parents also apologised to the club on his behalf.

“Charles wrote to us to say he is sorry for his behaviour and even his parents came here pleading on his behalf. As a club we have accepted his apology based on four points which are the contrition part, clemency by his parents, the fact that he has a chance to clinch the top scorer’s gong should he retain a place in the team and we also didn’t want to damage his career by acting otherwise,” Gumede said.

The Bosso chief executive officer said they reached their decision to pardon Sibanda after consultations with the technical team.

He could not be drawn into commenting further on Sibanda’s matter as the Bosso chairman Peter Dube had earlier on said they would issue out appropriate punishment to the player who has been sitting on a written warning.

Sibanda again apologised at the press briefing held at the club offices yesterday afternoon.

He admitted that his behaviour could have incited fans to act violently.

“I would like to apologise to the technical team, the sponsors, the executive, supporters, my teammates and even the youngsters that are looking up to me for acting in an unprofessional manner. My actions drew attention of the supporters and that could have caused mayhem. I’m sorry and I need all the support that I can get from all the organs to get back the confidence that I used to have and score goals which will help the team,” said Sibanda.

Had the club suspended Sibanda who had an inspirational season even though goals have run dry for him, he would have been ineligible for the Soccer Star of the Year selection.

With Kuda Musharu of How Mine a goal behind Sibanda’s 12, the latter is expected to raise his game and repay his paymasters’ faith in him by scoring.

Bosso have gone for six league matches without a win, only managing a 0-0 draw at home to Buffaloes at the beginning of September.

Highlanders’ last victory was on August 24, beating FC Platinum 1-0 in Zvishavane courtesy of a Sibanda strike.