Antipas calls for fair officiating in Wadzanayi test

CHICKEN Inn coach Joey Antipas has expressed concerns about playing their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamva on Saturday.

While Antipas doesn’t mind a loss, he wants his team to lose on a level playing field, without any controversial decisions from match officials.

This call comes as several teams have accused match officials of being biased towards Simba Bhora when playing at their home stadium.

Despite Simba Bhora’s unbeaten streak of 12 games, Antipas is hopeful for a fair and challenging game. Antipas believes good officiating is crucial when playing against Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi Stadium.

He recognises the difficulty of the venue and doesn’t want match officials to make dubious calls that could affect the result of the game against his team, but is willing to accept a loss if Simba Bhora are the better side on the day.
He, however, warned that losing a game due to a referee’s decision is frustrating and unfair to the team that has planned and played well.

“It’s a massive game at Wadzanayi Stadium. A difficult venue for a game of football. It’s not easy because of the controversy associated with the venue with match officials making some dubious calls. All we want going into that game is a fair match. We want football to be the winner. If we go there and fall short without match officials influencing the result, then so be it.

“If they are the better side on the day, let them win the game; I’m okay with that. What I am against is match officials deciding the result. Let’s have good officiating on the day and let the better side win. It’s frustrating to plan and play well only to lose a game because of a decision by the referee,” said Antipas.

Simba Bhora enjoy a comfortable seven-point lead at the top of the league table with seven games left before the curtain comes down on the season.

They are unbeaten in their last 12 outings and the streak includes an impressive nine wins and three draws. They have won 12 times and drawn only twice at Wadzanayi Stadium, which translates to 38 points at home.
However, several teams have left Wadzanayi Stadium crying foul, specifically against match officials.

About 30 percent of the 20 referees sanctioned so far have been over matches involving Simba Bhora in Shamva.
Antipas said his team has no injury concerns ahead of the match and that morale in camp is high. He hopes for a beautiful game of football and wants his team to play their best without any interruptions from unfair decision-making.

In other matches, defending champions Ngezi Platinum Stars face TelOne at Ascot Stadium on Saturday, while Bulawayo Chiefs play host to Herentals at Luveve Stadium, and Yadah will welcome Arenel at the Heart Stadium.
Dynamos entertain CAPS United in a Harare derby on Sunday, and Highlanders square off with ZPC Kariba at Barbourfields Stadium.

Fixtures
Saturday
Telone v Ngezi Platinum (Ascot Stadium), Simba Bhora v Chicken Inn (Wadzanayi Stadium), Bulawayo Chiefs v Herentals (Luveve Stadium), Yadah v Arenel (Heart Stadium) Greenfuel v Manica Diamonds

Sunday
Chegutu Pirates v Bikita Minerals (Baobab Stadium), Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro Stadium) Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery Stadium), Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields)
-@innocentskizoe