Highlanders tops Castle Premier League table

Highlanders won 2 - 1 against Black Mambas to lead the Castle Premier League of Zimbabwe.  The home side had been leading 2-0 until the 85th consolation by the visitors. Graham Ncube headed the second goal with just over 20 minutes of play to go.

Bosso had taken the lead through Milton Ncube in the 58th minute. There was much better impetus for the team following their 5-2 drubbing of Monomotapa during the week. The result was a positive sign of constructive work done by the technical team after last weekend's 1-2 loss to How Mine.
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Bosso started with Ariel Sibanda, Lawson Nkomo, Bruce Kangwa, Dumisani Fazo Ndlovu, Innocent Mapuranga, Mthulisi Maphosa, Peter Rio Moyo, Hillary Madzivanyika, Mimon Munawa, Milton Ncube and Graham Ncube while the bench comprised Archie Katsande (Gk), Beavan Chikaka, Heritan Masuku, Cleopas Dube, Eric Mudzingwa, Ozias Zibande, Knox Mtizwa. 

Elsewhere CAPS United beat 2-1 Platinum FC at the National Sports Stadium while Buffaloes lost 1-3 to Shabanie Mine at Sakubuva Stadium. Harare City won 2-0 against league anchors, Tripple B at Rufaro Stadium. 

There was a 0-0 stalemate at the Colliery Stadium between Hwange and Monomotapa while Black Rhinos  beat Triangle FC at Gwanzura

Pos Team.................P W D L F A Pts
1 HIGHLANDERS ..12 8 2 2 24 11 26
2 Harare City............12 7 3 2 18 8 24
3 Dynamos ..............12 5 7 0 16 6 22
4 FC Platinum......... 12 6 3 3 18 11 21
5 Chicken Inn.......... 12 6 2 4 16 14 20
6 How Mine .............12 6 2 4 15 13 20
7 CAPS United....... 12 6 1 5 17 14 19
8 Buffaloes ..............12 5 1 6 18 20 16
9 Black Mambas.....12 5 1 6 13 17 16
10 Monomotapa..... 12 4 3 5 15 20 15
11 Hwange.............. 12 3 5 4 10 12 14
12 Shabanie Mine ..12 4 2 6 12 18 14
13 Motor Action.......12 3 3 6 12 18 12
14 Black Rhinos......12 3 3 6 15 22 12
15 Triangle ..............12 2 3 7 11 17 9
16 Triple B................12 2 1 9 10 19 7

Highalanders versus How Mine eye witness account - as I saw it

Highlanders were beaten 1-2 by Castle Premier League debutantes, neighbours How Mine FC at Barbourfields Stadium on the chilly Sunday afternoon of the 19th May 2013. The objective was to enjoy a good match but without a vuvuzela to make noise and be wild, for me then becomes a futile exercise. I begin to see much more than I paid for. 

At R300 a pair of tickets, there must be value for money at least from both the team and the environment. With boxes of good chicken, an old friend brought it the flavour by buying a cup or two of home-cooked ground nuts and the chilly weather was forgotten for a while.

The first comparison of the two teams came from their physical appearance, normally not a big issue, but those who saw the teams from the early 1990s will attest that maybe not by height, but by mass, Bosso was the heaviest team by huge margins and for a long time. Not just because of Douglas Mloyi, Peter Nkomo, Madinda Ndlovu, Willard Khumalo and Mercedes Sibanda who were stocky, but all the materials was of firm size. 

How Mine players looked much heavier and were fitter. They were more enthusiastic getting for the business of the day and for me that's the most vital. It is the reason why I try never to miss a warm up of any match. It tell me the whole story before the kick-off. 

Given my limited knowledge of the team composition, many already lamented the omission of experience players - Mthulisi Maphosa, Innocent Mapuranga and Njabulo Ncube who were benched. For sure, I had a brief conversation with Cosmas Zulu who expressed the same sentiments. That showed me people had a clue what they are talking about. Only the names are familiar to me but I have never seen these players in action, save for Ncube that I coached as a 16 years old.

Let's talk football. One very obvious thing that struck right in my face was the keeping of positions by players. Some did a good job as the adjusted according to the situation, which was not entirely good. The anchorman as an example, spent most of the time in front of the central defenders without picking up anyone. When How Mine attacked he drifted to the left and left the central defence exposed.

This was never his problem. The problem was that the left back religious kept his number or position with and without cause. How Mine's number 27 went deep into midfield and sometimes defence to pick up the balls. In running forward with the ball, he managed to get players in front of him criss-crossing to out-manoeuvre the left back and the anchorman drifted to fight the fire.

The problem here is that the fire was never supposed to start. The left-back was supposed to press up higher and then leave enough room for the anchorman to support the right and left side when How Mine came. That was a huge tactical problem.

Still, Bosso under pressure are very brittle. The defensive organisation diminished and the visitors coach, a very close friend of mine, Philani Mabhena was supposed to utilise that and exploit the situation. The shape gets lost and the commitment to good defending was completely absent.

Under attack, one man was meant to charge towards the ball while others monitor the front runners. In all occasions, the situation could be described as being in sixes and sevens. I wish to state that this is a postmortem of a single match that went wrong. Highlanders surely are capable of doing much better but all of us have a bad day in office.

Many of these situations were captured on my camera phone hoping to discuss them over coffee with the gaffer, but the meeting failed to materialise due to the commitments of our schedules that were parallel. 

In attack, the team never played football in midfield. The ball came to the centre of the park but the decision making was very bad. A wrong pass followed another on several successive occasions. With the basic formation that has four defenders, the line between them must resemble a dish - left back, centre-half, centre-half and right back. The ball must follow that movement or pattern. The same goes for the midfield. 

This can be limited to the attacking third were the pace picks up and a little enterprise is required. Highlanders midfielders left a yawning gap between themselves and the attack, the space which was well utilised by the referee. I pointed to my colleagues gaps that would fit 3 to 4 buses being driven across the field with the match on.

This became the reason for inept and blunt attacks as the team came over the half-way and started delivering crosses from there. There was never a ball that was taken to the by-line and then cut back. All this crossing from the midfield was training session for the slow gold-miners who had the veterans in Gilbert Banda and Hebert Dick. It is the sought of football no one can beat them to in the whole world.

Besides the wrong and bad choices in passing, there was a big lack in technique execution. Players used wrong surfaces of the body to control or push a pass. There is a lot of many other small issues to look at but it was clear that How Mine suffered more or less similar issues, but their crew was much more experienced. Take the goals they scored as an example.

They never gave up and the equalising goal came from a corner kick that was well whipped to the secondary post and then headed back across goal. The winner was a give away ball after a school boy mistake and the dink over the goalkeeper was pure class.

Highlanders had the most intelligent player on the pitch, who wore jersey number 10. They said his name is Milton Ncube. The boy read the game well and tried to organise others but he does not have much authority. I saw a few touches of his for my liking. To fill the midfield gap I talked about earlier on, this is one man who should be asked to get in there and do whatever he likes. He should be the preferred recipient of all passes to deliver the killer pass.

The attacks should revolve around him to quickly and effectively penetrate defences. I am unsure of a player who made one single run on the left wing in the second half, getting into the box and finally making a bad effort by shooting wide and weak. That is a players with a lot of potential.

Many times, the players never realised how much space they had when attacking high balls in defence or midfield. They ended up blasting the ball away while they could have trapped the ball and passed it well and then entering into space to support the ball. That is the traditional Highlanders way. There were bad choices of when to pass or run with the ball and the players never rose to the party despite being the hosts.

There is much detail we can dwell on but let me finally express the goalkeepers. While there was not much to do for them, they saw to much ball and then all they did was clonk it up and high into no-man's land. As is always the case the ball came back to them in no time. The keepers could have made sure the pushed all men upfront, roll the ball outside their 18 yard box and then make accurate long kicks.

The commanding of the box was done better by the visitors minder and he was superb with aerial balls missed by Banda and Dick. I think with good reason, Munyaradzi Diya, like his outfield colleagues, do not trust each other with the ball. The further up field the ball, the better. It did not matter who had the ball, as long as it was away from goal.

It is one culture that left me a little disappointed. As team mates, it is essential for all to bank their salaries and winning bonuses on each other, that the ball is safe with the other guy and if he loses it, we get it back as soon as possible, or at least make sure it doesn't get to certain people or areas. The pace of match was very slow, actually being flatly lukewarm throughout except just after the Highlanders goal.

It reminded me how the fans also wanted to cheer up when the team did well, instead of cheering the team to do well. Fans were there to be entertained, not to spur the team forward, which is very sad. It was going to be a lovely day and a good vibey Sunday had the results been good and reading this would have been boring if the team won.  

Is it high time former players ran football? Me thinks.

(By Alois Bunjira)

When I was playing at BIDVEST WITS we had this scenario.......: BIDVEST Wits, a club sponsored by a BANK called BIDVEST plays against Kaizer Chiefs, a club sponsored by a BANK called Standard Bank in a tournament called NEDBANK CUP, sponsored a BANK called NEDBANK.

These two clubs are playing at a stadium called FNB stadium, which is owned by a BANK called First National Bank. Both clubs play in a league called ABSA Premiership which is sponsored by a BANK called ABSA Bank. Chiefs by virtue of being the home team, provides prematch and post match entertainment for their fans in the form of a music group and drum majorettes.

They also bring in cheer leaders. All this is financed by the money they get from one of their sponsors Standard BANK, who also chip in with money for bonuses when chiefs win. If BIDVEST Wits wins, the Bank called BIDVEST pays for their Bonuses. NEDBANK BANK has never been heard crying foul for that. They mind their business of hyping up their Cup game and finding ways of getting maximum mileage through that game.

They have the privilege of being the sponsor of the tournament and for all the prematch and post match interviews. It is their backdrop banner that is displayed. Can you all guys see how FIVE, FIVE, FIVE banks (Nedbank, ABSA, FNB, STANDARD Bank and BIDVEST Bank) are involved in this ONE game peacefully?

No wonder there is so much money in the South African league. When in Zimbabwe are we going to reach this level of top class football sponsorship and marketing where FIVE BANKS pelamborate in the same space for the benefit of the game and its players. WHEN?

(This story follows an eyebrow raising issue where beer brewers, Delta of Zimbabwe threatened bank sponsored teams, Highlanders and Dynamos who are sponsored by BankABC. The sponsors intended to lace the potential championship decider with goodies for the players and fans. Among others, the BancABC  wanted to offer $15000 to the winners, $5000 for the team scoring the first goal in the first 5 minutes as well as offering $1500 to the man of the match. 

There were potentially other good intentions coming the teams and fans' way but the Castle Lager Premier League warned of the potential loss of prize money if the teams followed the heart of their sponsors. Reading from the above script, one can see there is no conflict of interest between Delta and BancABC.

Since a former football picked this one up, it could be justification enough for former players to take football leadership and make decision that merit the game and the money spent on it. We salute the post of Mr Alois 'Criss-cross' Bunjira.

Alois Bunjira is a former Zimbabwe Warriors international football players with extensive experience. He plied his trade in Zimbabwe for Caps United in a very colourful career that took him to South Africa where he played for Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits among others.)

It shall be well as Bosso blasts Shabanie 2-0

Highlanders proved their growing from strength to strength will not be halted by novices from small towns. As divine intervention sung by the God-fearing coach, Kelvin Kaindu in his 'It shall be well' war-cry, Bosso bulldozed their way past asbestos miners with a comfortable 2-0 victory to maintain an unbeaten run in the Castle Premier League.

A businessman-like Bruce Kangwa performance highlighted a happy afternoon as he became a man of the match with a class act.

Milton Ncube headed the Bulawayo giants ahead to settle the nerves in the first half. The

commitment of the boys pushed the home-team against the wall as a builder pushes the plaster against the bricks.

Graham Ncube volleyed home a Kangwa cross to seal the deal with a spear of the assassin stab. The 'men at work' attitude and secret service ruthless mentality made the team cohesion superior to Shabanie Mine's intimidation on and off the pitch.

Kelvin Kaindu's boys stamped their supreme authority with total confidence and comradeship that will be an envy to many coaches. Revving in top gear from the humble position, Tshilamoya's intentions were never in question as in their last half dozen missions.

The dedication and work ethic consistently proved the winning mentality, as the team played with champion-material class.

As if to prove that Mantengwane needs people who support each other rather than promote the PHD (Pull Him Down) syndrome, that win became a shinning beacon and left a sweet taste in the mouths of jubilation in the fans entering the new era of road-shows of old.

The hosts did not make it easy for Highlanders, who had to keep their cool and composure to play their usual passing and penetrative game. The hearts of lions made the difference as to who wanted it the most.

One can only hope that the family gets the message that the team and club growth means 'no more nappies and porridge'. It is high time the club fed on the meat like all lions.

The time for free peanuts from passers-by should be seeing its last days at Bosso and at this rate, it is destination 'Africa Champions League' next season. The club bosses should be thinking big in preparing for the precarious journey of the jungle where we have been lost more than once.

Lunch boxes will not work and total commitment from the fans and management, as mandatory as it may appear should not be faked. Questions of who is who and their perceived agendas should not be allowed to spoil a good performance.

My naivety is apparent and completely based on a personal discipline that forbids me to urinate on the street due to the feeling that seven billion people are watching me on the big screen. Thinking that everyone has the same attitude and honesty in dealing with public funds distorts the picture and perception of the potential of the club.

With the undeniable love and support of all who love the club with all their hearts and minds, all people west of the 'equator' need to check into rehab straight away to get rid away to negativity addiction especially based on the attitude of  'who is he/she?' 

While the perceived enemy of the club is Dynamos, the truth is that it is the 'lovers of the club'. Whether deliberate or not, that is another story, but for lack of direct English translation of the verneular, let us buy the deodorant.

Elsewhere, it was a stalemate between Motor Action and Dynamos, while Hwange blasted Monomotapa by a 5-1 goal margin. Quelaton and Blue Rangers drew 1-1.

The much-anticipated fixture against Dynamos was rumoured to be penciled for Sunday, but it has been however highlighted that Bosso will be feasting on Chicken Lunch instead. The Harare boys will be wetting their pants at the thought of any league meeting with the wild and untamed team of the moment, team of the nation, Bosso Tshilamoya.

Cry the beloved Orlando Pirates

The home advantage myth suffocates football progress perennially. The recent ousting of Orlando Pirates from the Africa Champions League by the Angolan champions is the latest example. Home advantage is not an advantage. It must be made such.

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana‘s failure to participate in the AFCON 2012 was a

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result of thinking the home ground scores goals for the hosts. Both situations were repeats. The teams approach matches with an attitude of getting one result here and finishing it off there.

I coached teams that suffered the same fate. The amount of complacency in the technical department and the players can be annoying. Experience would have taught many clubs, but, year in and year out, the story is the same.

Football never responds to muti or juju anymore. Bafana turned on the style during the Confederations Cup and lulled in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. All African teams thought playing on the continent was a license to the Cup. Save for hosting,South Africa have a tall order to participate at any stage on merit.

The problems lie with the administrative and operational attitudes. The developmental structures are tertiary worries of the industry. The slide in the packing order is accelerated by easy targets from Zimbabwe. The northern neighbours are not even benefitting from dominating the ABSA Premier League.

The Zambians garnered enough experience to go on and win the AFCON. It would be mischief to say they must be thankful to South Africa, as some alluded. Chipolopolo had hearts of oak and the fighting spirit of a buffalo mother.

The South African league is not in the Top 10 leagues in Africa, thanks to the performance of Supersport in previous Africa Champions League and Orlando Pirates in 2012. The league lost the two spots to Zimbabwe who benefitted on the exploits of Dynamos in previous years. The Castle Premier Leagueranks higher than the ABSA Premiership.

The north and western African countries dominated these competitions at club levels and then their national teams bullied the south of the Sahara. To restore order, Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns,Supersport United and Kaizer Chiefs must find it worthwhile to play to win these Cups. The domestic league and Cups must be lucrative enough.

Maybe after all the troubles of fixtures, travelling and competing outside the borders, whatever price tag is on the prize is not worth the sweat to the club bosses. That affects the clubs themselves, the nations and the continent.

If players get paid well in their clubs, good business practise would dictate wasting fewer resources on futile continental commitments and national duties. This is great for their families and national teams suffer. Africa will remain a laughing-stock, but tho cares about Africa!

As for the Buccaneers, they did not defend at all when playing at the Orlando Stadium. The game became a proper match in Angola, but their fate was already sealed. Is there a chance they will make the cut next year? Time will tell, but given their erratic domestic form, only die-hard fans will put their treasured private tools on the vice.

From this desk, we can only say, ‘God willing’.

Highlanders outclass Shabanie 3-0

The Zimbabwe giants, Highlanders Football Club started the Castle Premier League on a high note, beating Shabanie Mine 3-0 at Bourberfields Stadium this afternoon. The Bosso team kicked off their season on a very tempo full of promise and energy.

Amahlolanyama started off well with goals from Graham Ncube who converted from the penalty spot. Eric Mudzingwa came in with a long range drive from over 25 metres, stunning the goalkeeper with a launcher into far post.

Bosso were not yet finished as they came stronger and put the final nail in the coffin with a final goal from Njabulo Ncube, who headed home past a bemused keeper to send the wild celebrate vibrating into the City night. Is this the year of the team of the nation?