Sports / Local
Highlanders FC gets a chilling message from Hwange
05 Oct 2015 at 07:19hrs | Views
HWANGE FC have sent a chilling message to Highlanders reminding the Bulawayo giants that they still vividly remember their 1-3 loss to Bosso at Barbourfields Stadium that condemned them to Division One on December 8, 2007. Bosso face Hwange at the Colliery after next weekend's international break.
In 2007, Highlanders, who had secured second spot, condemned the coalminers to the unfashionable Division One through goals from double scorer Obidiah Tarumbwa and Erick Mudzingwa.
Mudzingwa's 24th minute opener for Bosso cancelled out a 42nd minute penalty by Gilbert Zulu before Tarumbwa struck early in the second half.
Eight years later, roles have been reversed.
Although Hwange themselves are still not entirely safe from the dreaded chop, their case is a little bit better compared to the possibility of Amahlolanyama going down.
Hwange head coach Nation Dube, who was assistant to Tavaka Gumbo on that dreaded afternoon, summed it up yesterday saying those memories will never be erased from their minds.
"We're not saying we expected any favours from Highlanders, but the fact that that loss condemned us to Division One means we can't forget the day, even though we lost other matches. It's just like a penalty shootout situation; the last taker, if he scores, is always seen as the hero despite the fact that others would have scored too. The opposite happens if he misses," said Dube.
He said Highlanders have to come to the Colliery fully prepared for a bruising fight.
"We are all professionals here and I'm sure Highlanders understand that. They must fight to show they want to stay in the league, which they surely deserve, but no favours will be extended as we are also fighting our own cause," said Dube.
All the scorers in that December 2007 game from both teams are still actively involved.
"Tarumbwa was scoring for fun on that day. It's good he is still on top of his game," said Dube.
What probably infuriated Hwange more is that in 2008, Bosso met Caps United who needed a straight win in their last game to avoid relegation. Makepekepe somehow hammered Highlanders 4-1 and took their points tally to 36, the same as relegated Masvingo and Lancashire Steel, who went for play-offs. Caps United survived due to a better goal difference.
There has also been talk that Bosso "punished" their regional neighbours after they refused to release Carrington Gomba to Bulawayo, but instead sold him to bitter rivals Dynamos.
So angry were Highlanders and their fans that our weekly vernacular sister paper Umthunywa screamed with the headline "Sekutheni Makhelwane".
Highlanders need 13 points from their remaining six matches and can't afford to lose two games, even though they can still survive depending on how the bottom four clubs perform.
In 2007, Highlanders, who had secured second spot, condemned the coalminers to the unfashionable Division One through goals from double scorer Obidiah Tarumbwa and Erick Mudzingwa.
Mudzingwa's 24th minute opener for Bosso cancelled out a 42nd minute penalty by Gilbert Zulu before Tarumbwa struck early in the second half.
Eight years later, roles have been reversed.
Although Hwange themselves are still not entirely safe from the dreaded chop, their case is a little bit better compared to the possibility of Amahlolanyama going down.
Hwange head coach Nation Dube, who was assistant to Tavaka Gumbo on that dreaded afternoon, summed it up yesterday saying those memories will never be erased from their minds.
"We're not saying we expected any favours from Highlanders, but the fact that that loss condemned us to Division One means we can't forget the day, even though we lost other matches. It's just like a penalty shootout situation; the last taker, if he scores, is always seen as the hero despite the fact that others would have scored too. The opposite happens if he misses," said Dube.
"We are all professionals here and I'm sure Highlanders understand that. They must fight to show they want to stay in the league, which they surely deserve, but no favours will be extended as we are also fighting our own cause," said Dube.
All the scorers in that December 2007 game from both teams are still actively involved.
"Tarumbwa was scoring for fun on that day. It's good he is still on top of his game," said Dube.
What probably infuriated Hwange more is that in 2008, Bosso met Caps United who needed a straight win in their last game to avoid relegation. Makepekepe somehow hammered Highlanders 4-1 and took their points tally to 36, the same as relegated Masvingo and Lancashire Steel, who went for play-offs. Caps United survived due to a better goal difference.
There has also been talk that Bosso "punished" their regional neighbours after they refused to release Carrington Gomba to Bulawayo, but instead sold him to bitter rivals Dynamos.
So angry were Highlanders and their fans that our weekly vernacular sister paper Umthunywa screamed with the headline "Sekutheni Makhelwane".
Highlanders need 13 points from their remaining six matches and can't afford to lose two games, even though they can still survive depending on how the bottom four clubs perform.
Source - chronicle
