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Lovemore Dube and Innocent Kurira

THERE were 400 more people at the Highlanders Clubhouse than at Barbourfields Stadium where 1314 people paid to watch Bosso beat ZPC Kariba 2-0 on Sunday.

Highlanders’ fans and members suggested a boycott of the Bosso versus ZPC Kariba match as a protest against the club’s alleged ill-treatment in local football. The club has been many stakeholders’ cash cow, including opposition teams, ZRP, Zifa, PSL, and local authorities. Wherever they have played, it’s been the biggest crowd, in most instances, also benefitting informal traders.

This was after a match against Simba Bhora where a dubiously awarded penalty resulted in the match not running its 90 minutes following Highlanders’ refusal to have the spot kick taken.

Bosso fans at the Clubhouse

Cecil Gwezera and Zondzi Ngosana were subsequently suspended for six weeks after the Bosso outcry the following morning.
At the Highlanders Clubhouse, 1785 people went through the paying gate as they chose to fundraise towards the US$6 000 for crowd trouble at Wadzanayi Stadium two weeks ago in a Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final tie.

According to information disclosed by club treasurer Israel Moyo, 1 593 people paid US$4 779 for the rest of the ground tickets, 153 for the wings which are at US$5 at Barbourfields Stadium and 39 paid US$10 for the VIP tickets.

The rest of ground constituted 89,2 percent of the attendees while the wings had a patronage of 8,6 percent and VIPs 2,2 percent.

Going by the same rations at Barbourfields where 1 314 people paid, and a good fraction having gone in for free as officials and council workers at work, about 1 172 people paid for the rest of the ground, 113 paid to sit at the wings with 29 paying for the VIP.

Bosso fans at the clubhouse

Bosso may have realised US$4 271 from the turnstiles of which they had to pay 60 police officers on duty for at least three hours per head.

They had to pay Bulawayo City Council US$850, PSL US$420 the SRC, and Zifa about US$256. With close to US$2 000 going to the above bodies, referees, police to be paid, marshals, cashiers, bouncers and treasurer,

Bosso may have been left clutching thin air at the end of the day.

If there is not enough to pay referees and police arrangements are made for the debts to be settled. Simba Bhora took yet another giant step in their quest to win their maiden league title with yet another crucial victory at their fortress Wadzanayi Stadium which saw them extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points.

The Shamva-based outfit saw off the challenge of Chicken Inn on a day their closest rivals FC Platinum saw their chances of winning their fifth title go up in smoke following a 2-2 draw against Hwange at the Colliery Stadium.

FC Platinum let go a two-nil lead to draw the game, a result which may just have ended their hopes for the title. A second-half goal by Perfect Chikwende ensured the Tonderai Ndiraya-coached outfit grabbed the crucial three points against the Gamecocks.

The victory took Simba Bhora’s points tally to 60 points from 29 games with FC Platinum in second position having 51 points.
With 15 points left to play, it appears the title is now for Simba Bhora to lose.

They only need to get seven points to reach an unassailable 67 points. Crucially, Simba Bhora will meet Ngezi Platinum Stars and FC Platinum in the title run-in.If they get results from the two matches it will almost be certain they will be champions this season.

The victory over Chicken Inn meant Simba Bhora has now matched Manica Diamonds’ record of going 13 games unbeaten this season.

Simba Bhora have not lost a match at their Wadzanayi Stadium in 15 encounters with cup games factored. Ndiraya’s men last suffered a defeat back in June.

In other matches, champions Ngezi Platinum ruined all prospects of defending their title when they fell 1-0 away to TelOne at Ascot Stadium.

At Luveve, Bulawayo Chiefs played out a goalless draw with visiting Herentals. The result saw Chiefs drag themselves into the relegation matrix but coach Thulani Sibanda is confident they will survive.

“We are confident that we will survive relegation. We have been in this situation before and we know how to get out of it,” said Sibanda.

Chiefs are just one place above the cut-off line. They have 31 points, the same as Bikita Minerals who occupy the last relegation slot.

Hwange is third from the bottom with 28 points while Chegutu Pirates and Arenel are separated by just a point at the bottom of the table. Arenel has 22 points while Chegutu Pirates are on 23 points.
— @innocentskizoe