IN what is usually a cricket occurrence, a waterlogged pitch forced the abandonment of an international football friendly match between Highlanders and Zambian side Power Dynamos without a ball being kicked at Luveve Stadium on Sunday.

With heavy rain falling before kickoff, a lengthy gathering took place involving all key parties with a pronouncement made that the match be called off.

Highlanders acting chairman Modern Ngwenya said the Bosso coach Erol Akbay had serious reservations about the pitch which he felt was hazardous for his players so match commissioner Hopewell Sidube had no choice but to call off the fixture. The Bosso acting boss said the two teams will now engage in a practice match on Wednesday morning before the Zambians travel back to their base in Kitwe.

“Our coach Erol Akbay said the pitch is dangerous for his players, even after the match commissioner had called it a 50/50 situation. Highlanders and Power Dynamos will now play a practice match on Wednesday morning,’’ said Ngwenya.

Bosso fans, who were courageous enough despite the the terrible weather, did not seem to understand why they were still locked out of the stadium eventually forced their way in. Some even decided to have a feel of the unplayable turf. Had the match gone ahead, it would have presented the Highlanders fans a perfect chance to witness their latest acquisitions on display.

Highlanders, who last won the league championship in 2006 have been busy on the transfer market with three strikers captured, these being Rodreck Mutuma, Manuel Esono Obiang Buale of Equatorial Guinea and Tambwe Kalunga of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Power Dynamos played their first friendly match in Zimbabwe on Saturday against Chicken Inn which ended in a 1-1 stalemate. The visitors finished with 10 men on the field following the sending off of striker Alex Ngonga in the 67th minute. They are scheduled to play Bantu Rovers at the same venue on Tuesday.

@Mdawini_29