The match between Highlanders and Dynamos had to be abandoned after crowd trouble stopped the match which was held at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
The hosts grabbed the lead courtesy of Bosso captain, Rahman Kutsanzira who fired home from just outside the eighteen area after a corner kick. The goal came barely 2 minutes after Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda had made a superb save to deny Dynamos.
However, the Glamour boys equalized through Epoupa, although the goal seemed to have been scored from an offside position. The match had to be suspended after the home fans did not take too kindly to the questionable officiating. They showed their anger and frustration by throwing missiles onto the pitch. The assistant referee had to seek refugee in the middle of the pitch to escape the angry Bosso fans who were pelting him with missiles and threatening to invade the pitch.
At one point, newly appointed Highlanders CEO, Nhlanhla Dube had to beg the fans to behave after they demanded the removal of the assistant referee who had made the questionable call. Unfortunately, it was all in vain and the “Battle of Zimbabwe” had to be called off.
Highlanders will now face a disciplinary hearing and the match is likely to be awarded to Dynamos on a 0-3 scoreline. The Bulawayo side may face some serious sanctions as the crowd troubles may have damaged the image of Zimbabwe soccer, considering that the match was being aired live on SuperSport.