Dynamos, Highlanders Match Abandoned After Crowd Trouble
The match between Dynamos and Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday was abandoned in the first half due to crowd trouble.
DeMbare were leading 2-0 in the high-profile Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match, dubbed the “Battle of Zimbabwe” when Bosso fans stormed the pitch in protest over a call by the referee.
The Bosso fans apparently felt the referee should have awarded a penalty in the 40th minute but he waved play on.
Dynamos were leading through goals by Keith Madera (2′) and Frank Makarati (33′).
Police officers were forced to intervene to clear the pitch but without success, and at one point were forced to retreat as Bosso fans charged at them.
The Match Commissioner had to call off the match after a restart failed.
Before today’s encounter, Highlanders had lost their previous two matches by a 2-0 scoreline to Chicken Inn and FC Platinum respectively.
This was not the first time that a match between Zimbabwe’s biggest clubs ended prematurely due to crowd trouble.
Twice in the last five seasons, matches between DeMbare and Bosso at Barbourfields Stadium, which is currently the home ground of both teams, have been abandoned due to crowd trouble.
On 14 May 2017, Highlanders were awarded the game after the match was abandoned due to crowd trouble.
On 15 May 2022, a league match between the two rivals was also abandoned due to crowd trouble, before Bosso were awarded the match on a 3-0 scoreline.
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