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BLUE RIBBON ended a three-match losing streak when they edged Highlanders in a tense Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Gwanzura yesterday.
It was a double blow for Bosso who on Saturday were slapped with a three-year ban from Caf competitions, for pulling out of their Caf Confederation Cup first round tie against Nchanga Rangers of Zambia.
Caf slapped Highlanders with the ban on Saturday.
Bosso, though, are likely to appeal given that they informed Zifa, way before the deadline, that they would be unable to take part in the competition, which they didn’t even enter. Zifa had handpicked Bosso who declined the offer saying they could not foot the cost of the adventure.
African champions TP Mazembe were also thrown out of the Champions League for fielding an ineligible player during their first round tie against Simba SC of Tanzania.
Simba will now play Wydad of Morocco in a one-off match for a place in the mini-league of the Champions League.
At Gwanzura yesterday, first half goals from Crispen Dickson and Felix Kuswatuka bagged the points for Misheck Chidzambwa’s men who had endured a lean spell after losing to Zimbabwe Saints, Motor Action and FC Platinum in their previous matches.
But Highlanders, who hit one back with a fine effort from Erick Mudzingwa at the stroke of half time, finished with 10 men after striker Njabulo Ncube was expelled for a second bookable offence with eight minutes remaining. Blue Ribbon coach Misheck Chidzambwa was relieved after yesterday’s victory.
“It was a tough game and I cannot single out any player for the win because we played as a unit although the goalkeeper made some crucial saves.
“Highlanders played well especially in the second half when they came back strongly. We had to defend because they were coming at us,” said Chidzambwa.
To their credit, Blue Ribbon put up a good show, especially in the first half when they dominated the flow of the game, and it was no surprise when Dickson headed them into the lead 12 minutes into the game.
Dickson reacted quickly after goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda and his defenders failed to deal with a corner to allow the hosts’ defenders room for the opener in a crowded area.
Kuswatuka then doubled the lead with another easy task in the 35th minute after midfielder Erick Mudzingwa miscued a clearance inside the box leaving the goalkeeper badly exposed. But Mudzingwa atoned for his error with a fine effort that gave goalkeeper Earnmore Hamandishe no chance to reduce arrears at the stroke of half time.
But there were no more goals in the second half that was characterised by a string of missed opportunities and a disallowed goal in the 56th minute when striker Njabulo Ncube thought he had brought Bosso at par but referee Robert Magorosa ruled that he was off-side.
Highlanders coach Mkhupali Masuku believed the goal should have been allowed to stand after Ncube finished off a ball flighted into the box from a free-kick.
“I think the referee disallowed a genuine goal but I wouldn’t want to say that we were robbed. We cannot blame him. Referees are also human and they make mistakes but sometimes their mistakes cost teams,” said Masuku.
But Bosso could have levelled scores in the 61st minutes after beating an ill-timed off-side trap but Vincent Nzombe was denied at point blank by Hamandishe.
“We played better football but we conceded soft goals at the end. It happens in football.
Teams
Blue Ribbon
E. Hamandishe, C. Dickson (S. Choenda, 54th minute), T. Kumbuyani, B. Tuwaya, J. Mwinga, J. Jam, D. Kamunenga, T. Chitora, V. Mukudo (C. Kamhapa, 68th minute), M. Mabhacho (E. Katema, 68th minute), F. Kuswatuka
Highlanders
A. Sibanda, B. Tshuma, G. Banda (S. Munawa, 82nd minute), I. Mapuranga, G. Banda, A. Tshuma, L. Matawu, M. Mburayi, E. Mudzingwa, V. Nzombe (G. Ncube, 66th minute), N. Ncube.