The match between hosts Shabanie Mine and Harare City was abandoned nine minutes before time at Maglas Stadium, after the Chinda Boys’ fans became violent in protest at what they termed controversial decisions by referee Sambulo Dube.
The controversial decisions began with a 15th minute ruling by near-side referee, Lloyd Mapango, who adjudged as off-side an own-goal by City’s centre back Chrispen Dickson beat his own goalkeeper, Max Nyamupanedengu and scored an own-goal that should have been credited to the “Chinda Boys”.
The fans reacted angrily, but shortly calmed down. However, all hell broke loose with the repeat of the same incident in the 80th minute, far-side assistant referee, Ephias Mukono, indicating off-side after another City defender, Zibusiso Sibanda, had beaten Nyamupanedengu from a rebound that came from Shabanie forward, Farai Mususunye.
The Chinda Boys were at that stage desperate to level the scores from the 1-3 deficit they found themselves in and began to throw missiles onto the pitch.
Police failed to stop the violence, resulting in the abandonment of the tense match. Shabani Mine coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere was also not a happy man afterwards. “I believe there was match-fixing because this match was not handled properly.”
At Rufaro Stadium, Hwange coach, Nation Dube, said his side’s executive would meet to deliberate on lodging a complaint against poor officiating in their 0-2 loss to champions Dynamos.
Results: Caps United 1:0 Triangle, How Mine 2:0 Buffaloes, FC Platinum 0:0 Highlanders, Chicken Inn 2:1 Motor Action, Tripple B 0:1 Monomotapa.
Post published in: Football