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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
HIGHLANDERS were robbed of a deserved point away to Dynamos yesterday after a legitimate goal was inexplicably chalked off for offside by assistant referee, Bongani Gadzikwa, from Murewa.

Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu, whose team battled valiantly, especially in the second half, blasted: “It’s sad really. We can’t have results cooked like what happened today.”

Mafu also felt Augustine Mbara, who fouled Obadiah Tarumbwa to earn Highlanders the opening goal from the spot, should have seen red, not the yellow card he was shown by controversial referee Norman Matemera.

SuperSport commentator, Steve Vickers, said: “I’ve watched replays of the Highlanders disallowed goal several times. Highlanders were robbed of a genuine goal. In fact that goal was nowhere near an offside. This is a great injustice. That goal should have stood.”

For the disallowed goal, Highlanders fans were not eager to absolve referee Matemera, who initially gave a goal before the flag from his assistant. He has history with the Bulawayo club. In 2013, with Highlanders leading 1-0 against Dynamos at Rufaro, Matemera added four minutes after 90 minutes – but he let play continue until the 96th minute when Dynamos finally equalised – ensuring they maintain their unbeaten run against Highlanders which stretches back to July 2006.