The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
ONE would have been forgiven for thinking that this year’s Victoria Falls Carnival had been moved to the City of Kings and Queens last Saturday.
The carnival scenes pre- and post-match told a story of a city that is passionate about football, particularly Bosso.
Bulawayo was turned into a sea of black and white as the country’s second largest city hosted the Chibuku Super Cup final for the first time.
As football lovers were enjoying the hosting opportunity, Highlanders added on to their joy by beating 2016 winners Ngezi Platinum Stars and ending Bosso’s frustrating trophyless spell that had stretched for four years.
Prior to the game, traffic came to a standstill as fans made their way to the stadium.
With the stage set for the sixth edition of the Chibuku Super Cup and an hour before kick-off, the stadium was already packed to the rafters. Fans were on their feet, singing and dancing the afternoon away.
When the energetic Piet de Jong embarked on his routine inspection tour of the pitch, he whipped tup, bringing his fans into a frenzy.
“The atmosphere was fantastic, captivating, hilarious and that is the type of atmosphere we all cherish week-in, week-out,” he said.
“Highlanders supporters are amazing, they are passionate about the game; but credit should also be given to the travelling supporters who were equal to the task and kept our team going,” said Ngezi coach Rodwell Dhlakama.
As action swung from both ends, supporters sat on the edge of their seats.
Bosso’s victory was decided by a somewhat bizzare goal by striker Prince Dube.
A few seconds into added time, Dhlakama felt that first assistant Salan Ncube spoilt the party for his team’s supporters when he adjudged that Dube’s long-range strike had crossed the line off the underside of the crossbar, before rebounding to goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.
Even the Bosso fans were not sure about that goal, they only celebrated after Ncube signalled for it to match-day referee Brighton Chimene.
However, the city burst into celebrations after the final whistle.
Said Dhlakama: “That goal was a problem. The near side official did not do justice to both teams because at the back of their minds, the Highlanders supporters did not want to win under such controversial circumstances.
“l think that was a mischievous move on the part of the official. He should be in the Guinness World Records Book for making such an unwarranted decision.”
While Dhlakama felt hard done by the assistant referee, his counterpart De Jong was over the moon.
De Jong heaped praises on his team’s supporters.
“They are an important part of the team and they are just marvellous.
“They played a part in our win, they cheered the team on from the first whistle right to the end,” said the Dutchman.
However, Bosso will this week shift focus to the final rounds of the Castle Lager Premiership programme with a renewed target of aiming for a top-four finish.
For a man who has only been at Highlanders for two months now, with a trophy already in his cabinet, a top-four finish seems attainable.
