Mutare City furious with assistant referee after draw with Highlanders

Mutare City were furious with the assistant referee who they felt denied them a goal in their pulsating draw against Highlanders at Sakubva stadium.

Stephen Sibanda who received a beautiful cross from Kudakwashe Gurure, headed the ball into the visitors nets and referee of the day Jimmy Makwenda pointed at the centre in the 75th minute indicating a goal leading to wild celebrations from Mutare City fans.

But their joy was short-lived as Rusape based linesman Varidzo Mushonga raised her flag pointing an offside position against Sibanda, giving lifeline to the visitors.

The denial of that solitary goal was a blessing in disguise to Highlanders as they managed to snatch a vital at least a point at Sakubva stadium.

Takura Shariwa, the Mutare City Rovers coach was left with a bitter taste in his mouth, watching his players dominating the entire second half of the match, only to settle for a draw.

The result did not go down well with a section of the “Gusha fans who protested and wanted to “deal with” Mushonga’s, accusing her of sabotaging the team.

The municipal outfit started the match on the offensive putting the visiting Bosso under relentless pressure though they lacked precision upfront on goal.

Youthful striker Fredrick Muza who  recently put his signature at Magusha camp, was the first culprit to miss an avalanche of chances in the first ten minutes of the match, that came Gusha’s way when he shot into the stands from a loose ball but was punched away by Bosso goalkeeper Aerial Sibanda.

He also fluffed a scoring chance in the 75th minute after shaking off a defender only to try and squeeze his shot in a keeper to beat situation.

The visitors on their part, sniffed around for a goal that did not come their way.

A double substitution by Akbay ushered in speed merchants in the form of Ralph Matema and Tendai Ngulube, to increase Bosso’s firepower upfront while Benson Phiri’s bag of  tricks caused problems for the Mutare City rear guard.

Speaking after the match Gusha gaffer Taku Shariwa expressed disappoint at the way the match had been handled by the match officials and also blamed his players for missing chances they had created.

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