Sports / Local
Bosso urged to 'Do it for MaWii'
29 Aug 2015 at 09:43hrs | Views
Former Highlanders chairman Ernest Sibanda leads Bosso players in song as they escort a hearse carrying the body of Willard Mashinkila Khumalo to its final resting place on Thursday
HIGHLANDERS players have been challenged to honour the memory of the club's legendary midfield kingpin Willard Mashinkila Khumalo by winning their remaining 10 matches, starting with tomorrow's crack derby against table toppers Chicken Inn. The two city rivals meet in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Barbourfields Stadium. Highlanders' board of directors' secretary Jimmy Ncube and former club chairman Ernest "Maphepha" Sibanda made the call at the funeral service of the late midfield maestro at a packed McDonald Hall in Mzilikazi on Thursday.
Khumalo, who died in his sleep at the United Bulawayo Hospitals after a long battle with diabetes, was buried in an emotional send off at Lady Stanley Cemetery on Thursday. "Willard was a fighter, he never wanted to lose and would single-handedly win a match for us. He was prepared to break a leg in defence of the Highlanders brand and I want to challenge you (Highlanders players) to honour this great man lying here by winning all your remaining matches, starting on Sunday (tomorrow) against Chicken Inn," said Sibanda.
He said Khumalo hated losing during his playing days at Highlanders and the present team's free fall would have hurt him badly. "Even when he was assistant coach, we went for many games without tasting defeat. It was taboo for us to lose and this spirit must be inculcated into the present team," Sibanda said. Speaking on behalf of Highlanders, board secretary Ncube also lamented the team's poor showing this season and challenged the boys to lift their game in honour of Khumalo.
"We want commitment; we expect your performance from Sunday (tomorrow) to show that your hearts are bleeding. Your performance should indicate that you're mourning a club and national football hero," said Ncube. Highlanders' performances this season have not been up to scratch to the extent that they have failed to register back-to-back victories. Instead, the team recorded a new low by losing back-to-back league matches in four days, first a 1-2 to to FC Platinum and a 0-1 defeat to struggling Whawha.
A massive 15 points separate Bosso and Chicken Inn, while only seven points are between the fading Bulawayo giants and the drop zone, as they precariously sit on eighth position on the table. The league's leading marksman and Bosso standout player Knox Mutizwa will miss tomorrow's clash through suspension after accumulating three yellow cards. The exciting striker could also miss four matches after being included in the Under-23 squad for the African Games in Congo Brazzaville. The African Games run from September 4-19.
Mutizwa had developed a telepathic understanding with strike partner Obidiah Tarumbwa, who is expected to lead the Bosso attack tomorrow. Tarumbwa could be partnered by 17-year-old Obert Tafira in tomorrow's match. However, the Highlanders' defence needs to be on high alert for deadly left-footed Chicken Inn forward Edmore Chirambadare, who might want to resume his scoring prowess against Bosso. Chirambadare, who started the league on fire almost banging in goals at will, has been experiencing a severe goal drought lately.
There could also be an interesting midfield duel between Chicken Inn's Danny Phiri and Highlanders' Simon Munawa. The Chicken Inn midfield also has former Soccer Star of the Year Clemence Matawu, who on his day can destroy any opposition. Bosso go into the match as underdogs, having failed to beat their neighbours in their last seven meetings, although they could use this grand occasion to derail the Gamecocks' title ambitions with some luck. Another interesting match will be at Gibbo Stadium where Triangle United welcome FC Platinum, who have not lost in 11 outings.
Interestingly, FC Platinum's first win in their 11-match unbeaten streak was a 3-2 scoreline against Triangle United at Mandava Stadium in May. Gold miners How Mine, whose coach Luke Masomere has been lamenting his forwards' lack of precision in front of goal, will be away to champions Dynamos. How Mine's strikers have been firing blanks with last season's joint top goal scorer Kuda Musharu managing a miserly two goals off 20 games. DeMbare were unconvincing in their 1-1 draw against Tsholotsho in Bulawayo last Sunday and another stalemate could be on the cards unless they can lift their game.
Khumalo, who died in his sleep at the United Bulawayo Hospitals after a long battle with diabetes, was buried in an emotional send off at Lady Stanley Cemetery on Thursday. "Willard was a fighter, he never wanted to lose and would single-handedly win a match for us. He was prepared to break a leg in defence of the Highlanders brand and I want to challenge you (Highlanders players) to honour this great man lying here by winning all your remaining matches, starting on Sunday (tomorrow) against Chicken Inn," said Sibanda.
He said Khumalo hated losing during his playing days at Highlanders and the present team's free fall would have hurt him badly. "Even when he was assistant coach, we went for many games without tasting defeat. It was taboo for us to lose and this spirit must be inculcated into the present team," Sibanda said. Speaking on behalf of Highlanders, board secretary Ncube also lamented the team's poor showing this season and challenged the boys to lift their game in honour of Khumalo.
"We want commitment; we expect your performance from Sunday (tomorrow) to show that your hearts are bleeding. Your performance should indicate that you're mourning a club and national football hero," said Ncube. Highlanders' performances this season have not been up to scratch to the extent that they have failed to register back-to-back victories. Instead, the team recorded a new low by losing back-to-back league matches in four days, first a 1-2 to to FC Platinum and a 0-1 defeat to struggling Whawha.
A massive 15 points separate Bosso and Chicken Inn, while only seven points are between the fading Bulawayo giants and the drop zone, as they precariously sit on eighth position on the table. The league's leading marksman and Bosso standout player Knox Mutizwa will miss tomorrow's clash through suspension after accumulating three yellow cards. The exciting striker could also miss four matches after being included in the Under-23 squad for the African Games in Congo Brazzaville. The African Games run from September 4-19.
Mutizwa had developed a telepathic understanding with strike partner Obidiah Tarumbwa, who is expected to lead the Bosso attack tomorrow. Tarumbwa could be partnered by 17-year-old Obert Tafira in tomorrow's match. However, the Highlanders' defence needs to be on high alert for deadly left-footed Chicken Inn forward Edmore Chirambadare, who might want to resume his scoring prowess against Bosso. Chirambadare, who started the league on fire almost banging in goals at will, has been experiencing a severe goal drought lately.
There could also be an interesting midfield duel between Chicken Inn's Danny Phiri and Highlanders' Simon Munawa. The Chicken Inn midfield also has former Soccer Star of the Year Clemence Matawu, who on his day can destroy any opposition. Bosso go into the match as underdogs, having failed to beat their neighbours in their last seven meetings, although they could use this grand occasion to derail the Gamecocks' title ambitions with some luck. Another interesting match will be at Gibbo Stadium where Triangle United welcome FC Platinum, who have not lost in 11 outings.
Interestingly, FC Platinum's first win in their 11-match unbeaten streak was a 3-2 scoreline against Triangle United at Mandava Stadium in May. Gold miners How Mine, whose coach Luke Masomere has been lamenting his forwards' lack of precision in front of goal, will be away to champions Dynamos. How Mine's strikers have been firing blanks with last season's joint top goal scorer Kuda Musharu managing a miserly two goals off 20 games. DeMbare were unconvincing in their 1-1 draw against Tsholotsho in Bulawayo last Sunday and another stalemate could be on the cards unless they can lift their game.
Source - chronicle
