The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
Bulawayo Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 4
Bulawayo City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
THREE second half penalties assisted debutants Bulawayo Chiefs to overcome Bulawayo City in an otherwise balanced Castle Lager Premier Soccer League affair at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.
Hwange-based referee, Hardley Ndazi held his nerve to point to the spot three times as the newcomers piled on the misery on City and pushed them deeper into the relegation zone.
City opened the score sheet with a strike from Sipho Ndlovu in the 34th minute but Chiefs replied immediately with Perfect Chikwende’s pile drive shot, beating City’s goalkeeper, Kelven Nyoni two minutes later.
The two sides went to the break deadlocked one-all but two minutes into the second half, Ndazi awarded Chiefs what some termed a “soft” penalty after Malvin Mkolo was brought down inside the box as players tussled for a high ball.
Arthur Musiyiwa stepped up and converted from the spot to put Chiefs into the lead, sending Nyoni the wrong way.
Chiefs’ new striker, Stanley Ngala won another penalty for his side after being brought down by Zibusiso Sibanda as he was angling to make an overhead kick. Musiyiwa stepped up again and got a brace cushioning Chiefs’ lead in the 71st minute.
When the two sides and fans thought they had seen enough of penalties, City’s Tatenda Tavengwa handled inside the box as he tried to clear the ball and Ndazi had no choice but to point to the spot and Ngala made it four for Chiefs.
City’s coach, Amini Soma-Phiri said his charges played well and were unlucky to lose in that manner, blaming Ndazi for swinging the game in Chiefs’ favour.
“This is a case of where a referee can be an extra arm in a game of football. He seemed to favour one team when he should have been protecting both teams with decisions going against us.
“I can’t really say much but for them (Chiefs) to be given three penalties is something else,” he said.
Chiefs’ coach, Garthly Chipuka was happy with the win, saying their new acquisitions Sherpard Mhlanga and Ngala played a crucial role in their win as they piled on the pressure on City, leading to the resultant goals.
Teams
Bulawayo City: K Nyoni, T January (T Ndlovu, 82nd), Ayanda Ncube (T Banda, 73rd), Z Ngodzo, R Pavari (M Sibanda, 76th), A Dzumbunu, H Ncube, Z Sibanda, I Kutsanzira, T Tavengwa, S Ndlovu
Bulawayo Chiefs: W Chiwetu, S Nyahwa, M Mkolo, S Mhlanga (66th), A Tandi, T Muzuva, G Muleya, A Musiyiwa (D Chivandire, 88th), S Ngala (L Ndlela, 88th), P Chikwende, M Majika
