Highlanders fans have for some time now been on the receiving end of nasty jokes in beer halls and other entertainment places as their club failed to deliver or collapsed just before crossing the finishing line in any tournament.
The Bulawayo giants had an indifferent 2014 soccer season finishing way in fifth place, much to the agony of long-suffering fans. Three weeks ago the team was knocked out of the Bob 91 Super Cup by Caps United.
But this time around, they can afford a smile.
“Bossolona” are through to the final of the Zimbabwe National Army Charity Shield after a goal from Thomas Chideu gave them 1-0 victory over neighbors How Mine on Sunday.
This is Highlanders’ first recognizable win for some time now and coach Bongani Mafu is a relieved man. He hopes the win is an omen for good things to come.
Highlanders will now meet Dynamos in this year final of the Zimbabwe National Army Commanders’ Charity Shield after “Dembare” overcame bitter rivals Caps United 2-1 on Sunday.
Despite the win, Dembare coach David Mandigora is not satisfied. He says a lot needs to be done if Dynamos are to acquire the shape he requires.
Caps United, Dynamos, Highlanders and How Mine were also using the Zimbabwe National Army Charity Shield to fine-tune their teams ahead of the start of the season.
NEW LEAGUE SEASON
Premier Soccer League Chief Executive Officer Kennedy Ndebele has revealed the league program will kick off this Friday.
However, FC Platinum will kick off their season not in the best of moods.
Zimbabwe’s representatives in Pan African football were on Sunday thumped 5-1 by Young Africans of Tanzania in a Caf Confederation Cup first round first leg game.
The Zimbabweans will need a massive 4-0 win at home in two weeks-time to sail through to the next round of the competition.
CRICKET DEBACLE
That aside. The Zimbabwe cricket team is returning home after stuttering to a six wicket defeat to India in their last World Cup game for their fifth loss in six games.
But captain Brendon Taylor benefitted greatly from that World Cup. His all-round performances at the international tournament won him a three-year deal with English side Nottinghamshire.
The deal means he will not be able to turn out for Zimbabwe during that period.
Former national team spinner Raymond Price says Taylor’s departure is a big blow to the Chevrons.
Price warns that Zimbabwe stands to lose more top cricketers if Zimbabwean cricket does not change the way they handle players.
He claims more concentration and emphasis is put on administrative issues than the players who do the job on the field of play.
GOLF
In golf, after going top of the leaderboard in the second round of the Vaspar Championship, Zimbabwe’s Brendon de Jonge suffered a dramatic collapse in the third and final round.
De Jonge had appeared on course for his maiden PGA Tour Championship when he moved from fourth to top on Friday but dropped heavily to 14th on Saturday, and later to 33rd on the final day.
With that went the dream of a first ever PGA Tour championship.
