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Police officers and marshals flee angry supporters at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday

Raymond Jaravaza Sports Correspondent
HIGHLANDERS have strongly condemned acts of hooliganism that rocked Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday and warned that the club would be forced to take drastic measures to fish out unruly elements during their home matches.

A police officer was assaulted by a mob after their 1-1 stalemate with Chicken Inn. Scores of people were arrested in the aftermath of the violence that was mainly targeted at the police.

Highlanders’ chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede described the attack on the police officer as tantamount to “treason”.

“The violence was made worse by the attack on a police officer and that is tantamount to treason because that officer enforces the laws of the country and no amount of anger justifies the vicious attack. We strongly condemn such violence be it from aggrieved persons or whoever. Taking the law into one’s hands is just not acceptable,” said Gumede yesterday.

“Football is a family sport and such acts of violence deter people from coming out to stadiums to enjoy the beautiful game. If such acts of violence continue, we will be forced to fish out the unruly elements behind it. We have marshals strategically positioned around the stadium, hence it’s not difficult at all to identify the perpetrators of violence and ban them from the stadium. As a club, we will suffer financially through fines for pitch invasions,” Gumede said.

Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said he was waiting for a report from the match commissioner.

“We are waiting for a match report which should be on my desk tomorrow (today) before taking the next course of action,” said Ndebele.

Under PSL standing orders and regulations, pitch invasions by supporters cost the offending club $2 000.

There are, however, indications that Bosso will be hauled before a disciplinary hearing considering the level of violence that marred the match.

Meanwhile, Highlanders coach Erol Akbay believes playing without a notable striker is working against the team.

In the last 20 minutes, Bosso played without a striker, opting instead to push midfielder King Nadolo to play as a lone striker after Ralph Matema was substituted for youngster Adrian Silla in the 73rd minute.

“It’s always a problem playing without an experienced striker and we can’t expect midfielders to get us crucial goals in every game,” said Akbay.

Prince Dube missed the match through injury and was not part of the 18-member squad that was selected for the Chicken Inn encounter.

The departure of Knox Mutizwa and Bruce Kangwa and resultant failure to boost the team with experienced goal scorers during the transfer window is proving to be the Achilles’ heel in Highlanders’ quest to keep abreast with the leading pack.