Sports / Local
'Bosso's past reputation frighten some referees'
15 Aug 2015 at 12:50hrs | Views
Luke Masomere (left) and Bongani Mafu (right)
How Mine coach Luke Masomere yesterday stoked flames ahead of their epic clash at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow, saying it was up to Highlanders to prove whether or not they are still football giants.
"It's up to them really to determine that, but what I know is that Highlanders have a very good reputation which they must safeguard jealously. Bosso has a culture which we as How Mine don't have, but are trying to create. You can't take that away from them. I personally envy Highlanders' reputation," said Masomere.
He maintained that Bosso's past reputation seems to frighten some referees whenever the two teams clash resulting in unprecedented biased officiating.
"I can be asked today as Masomere to be in charge of a Real Madrid and Bayern Munich match and I tell you I will handle it professionally because I will simply be applying what the rule book says. I won't worry about who is playing, but our referees seem to be overwhelmed by the occasion whenever they officiate in matches involving Highlanders and I'm speaking here about matches involving How Mine, not any other team," said Masomere.
The reverse league fixture in June ended 1-1 after Bosso were awarded a controversial penalty deep into the match when striker Thomas Chideu seemed to have impeded How Mine's unsung defender Nelson Tachi only for the referee to point to the spot.
Last week, Masomere was again up in arms against referee Allen Basvi for his handling of their Chibuku Super Cup first round tie against Bosso at the same venue. He accused the referee of allowing the goal by striker Obidiah Tarumbwa from a direct free-kick to stand despite having awarded it as an indirect free-kick.
"Why are those decisions always going Highlanders' way whenever we play against them?" said Masomere.
Fixtures:
Saturday: Harare City v Dongo Sawmill (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Chapungu (Luveve), FC Platinum v Hwange (Mandava), Tsholotsho v Triangle (White City), Flame Lily v Caps Utd Larfarge)
Sunday: Whawha v Buffaloes (Ascot), Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields)
"It's up to them really to determine that, but what I know is that Highlanders have a very good reputation which they must safeguard jealously. Bosso has a culture which we as How Mine don't have, but are trying to create. You can't take that away from them. I personally envy Highlanders' reputation," said Masomere.
He maintained that Bosso's past reputation seems to frighten some referees whenever the two teams clash resulting in unprecedented biased officiating.
"I can be asked today as Masomere to be in charge of a Real Madrid and Bayern Munich match and I tell you I will handle it professionally because I will simply be applying what the rule book says. I won't worry about who is playing, but our referees seem to be overwhelmed by the occasion whenever they officiate in matches involving Highlanders and I'm speaking here about matches involving How Mine, not any other team," said Masomere.
Last week, Masomere was again up in arms against referee Allen Basvi for his handling of their Chibuku Super Cup first round tie against Bosso at the same venue. He accused the referee of allowing the goal by striker Obidiah Tarumbwa from a direct free-kick to stand despite having awarded it as an indirect free-kick.
"Why are those decisions always going Highlanders' way whenever we play against them?" said Masomere.
Fixtures:
Saturday: Harare City v Dongo Sawmill (Rufaro), Chicken Inn v Chapungu (Luveve), FC Platinum v Hwange (Mandava), Tsholotsho v Triangle (White City), Flame Lily v Caps Utd Larfarge)
Sunday: Whawha v Buffaloes (Ascot), Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro), How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields)
Source - chronicle
