Highlanders, Dynamos in ball war

HIGHLANDERS Football Club are livid over the behaviour of two Dynamos players, George Chigova and Murape Murape after the duo kicked the Bulawayo giants' soccer balls to their fans during the Bob90 Super Cup final at Rufaro Stadium last Sunday and they have not been recovered.

The two players kicked the balls to their fans as the two teams were warming up and the incident nearly degenerated into a fist fight after Chigova engaged in an altercation with Highlanders fitness trainer, Majaha Ndlovu.

Highlanders' treasurer Jerry Sibanda said they were appalled by the behaviour of the two players, particularly goalkeeper Chigova.

"That was unsportsmanship behaviour by the players and we were not impressed by what they did, it was absolutely uncalled for.

"There was no need for them to do that. Chigova is a national team goalkeeper and has been signed by Supersport but his behaviour could cost him his career. What is worrying is that this is not the first time he has done this, he did it at Barbourfields stadium," said Sibanda.

Sibanda said the Dynamos players incited their team's fans to keep the balls and they were never thrown back into the field, adding that such behaviour was provocative and could lead to violence during similar big matches.

Dynamos won the match 2-0.

Sibanda said they want their balls back and they reported the matter at Mbare Police Station.

Harare provincial police spokesman Inspector Tadius Chibanda confirmed they were investigating a case of theft involving soccer balls that went missing before the start of the Bob90 final.

"Yes, there is such a report that was made at Mbare Police Station and    our officers are investigating the incident. The balls are said to have been kicked to the terraces and they were never returned to the pitch," said Insp Chibanda.

Sibanda said it was unfortunate that the teams were forced to warm up using half of the pitch as there was some  entertainment activity going in the other half.

"I think the confusion was exacerbated by the fact that it was not clear who was the home team. Remember it started in the dressing rooms and sharing half of the pitch for warming up did not help matters especially in such a tense game," he said.

In an interview with H-Metro Chigova absolved himself of any wrong doing in the scuffle he had with Ndlovu and claimed he kicked Highlanders' balls by mistake.

The giant goalkeeper got into the pitch when the Highlanders technical team had already set up cones for warm up.

"We had been instructed to conduct our warm up in that same half and there was no way I could oppose my coaches. My intentions were never meant to cause a scene or incite fans. But I was going to change if he (Ndlovu) had talked to me in a better way," H-Metro quoted Chigova as saying.

Sibanda said they informed Calisto Pasuwa about the incident but they have not heard any response from Dynamos.

"We want our balls, they were new and there is no way we can just let them get away with such actions because tomorrow it might be something worse," he said.

Chigova was also involved in another unsportsmanlike behaviour two years back when he interrupted Bosso's prayers during their pre-match ritual.

Efforts to get a comment from Dynamos chairman Kenny Mubaiwa were fruitless as he was not answering his phone while Pasuwa's mobile was unavailable.