Simba Bhora 0-0 Highlanders

HARARE – Highlanders face sanction from the Premier Soccer League after their Chibuku Super Cup quarter final clash with Simba Bhora was abandoned after 79 minutes on Sunday with the teams level 0-0.

Highlanders players led by goalkeeper and captain Ariel Sibanda protested a penalty decision by referee Cecil Ngwezere after Simba Bhora substitute Tinashe Balakasi collided with Peter Muduhwa as both players competed for the ball at Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva.

Zimpapers Television replays showed the incident happened outside the box although Balakasi’s tumble took him into Sibanda’s area.

The match officials tried to have the penalty taken but Sibanda, returning to the starting line-up in place of Reward Muza, refused to return to goal.

Ngwezere blew the whistle to end the match after a 30-minute stoppage.

The referee will now write a report to the PSL which will decide the match’s outcome.

Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu appeared to suggest it was not his decision not to resume the match.

“It’s very difficult for me to even come for the interview because the match did not end properly,” he said.

“It’s quite disappointing if this is what we’re going to display in our local league. It’s affecting our sponsors and it also affects the league. It’s not a good thing if we are not completing matches.”

Tonderai Ndiraya, in the opposite dugout, maintained that his team were on top and would have won anyway even without the penalty in the final 10 minutes.

“Whilst I would not want to speak on behalf of Highlanders, I think it’s bad for our football,” Ndiraya said.

“The first half was a bit of a balanced affair but I thought we had better scoring opportunities than Highlanders. We were playing against the wind and it was difficult to defend but we defended resolutely and ended up creating those scoring chances at the other end.

“When we came for second half we changed and we were pushing forward, putting Highlanders under pressure, and because of that, they conceded the penalty.

“Unfortunately, it had to end this way but I have a strong feeling we would have won the game if play had resumed. The referee’s decision is final and we have to respect it and move on.”

Simba Bhora are likely to be awarded the match and will face Ngezi Platinum in the semi-finals.

Manica Diamonds await the winner of the quarterfinal clash between Dynamos and Yadah in the other semi-final.