Online Reporter
Tongai Mashonga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT was meant to be a historic game — giants Dynamos against HardRock of Kwekwe.
Instead, in the 80th minute, with the teams tied 1-1, unruly fans started fighting in the terraces, and the skirmishes eventually spilled into the field of play.
The match was abandoned!
First it was Dynamos and Hardrock fans throwing missiles at each other, and the violence escalated, with some cornered DeMbare fans invading the pitch.
Damages to the stadium facilities was not yet confirmed.
As a result, both HardRock and Dynamos will be dragged before the PSL disciplinary committee, with both teams set to be sanctioned for their role in the violence.
“The PSL strongly condemns any acts of misconduct at our events, and those found guilty will face the full extent of the prescribed penalties. The PSL regrets any inconvenience caused to its members, stakeholders and partners,” PSL communications and media liaison officer Kudzai Bare said in a statement.
The PSL also confirmed the status of the match as abandonment and indicated that they will now be compiling reports on the match.
“We await the match officials’ reports on this matter for determination according to the PSL rules and regulations. Both clubs will also be requested to submit written reports on the events that transpired.”
Other officials that attended the match questioned security preparedness to manage such a huge crowd, while the seating arrangement of fans was also brought into the spotlight.
“Matches that are considered high status in terms of rivalry demand more security, and the arrangement of fans in the terraces must also be taken into consideration.
“This obviously will be a learning curve, and the interest in the match itself is a big positive. And it’s homework for PSL to put extra guidelines for selected matches for the home teams to be ready for anything,” said an official.
Match Commissioner Ruzive Ruzive made the decision to abandon the match.
It was, however, a match that had promised much before the unfortunate violence.
Dynamos got the opener in the first half when Leeroy Mavunga cut into the inside from the left flank unmarked, delivering a teasing cross which the miners’ defence failed to deal with and Misheck Ngwenya put the ball into his own net.
Then came the big moment for the home team.
HardRock were awarded a penalty in the 68th minute after Dynamos’ Shadreck Nyahwa was adjudged to have handled inside the box.
Dyamos players protested referee Magare Mhaka’s decision, but the penalty was eventually taken.
Wilfred Madzungu converted.
In the aftermath, it was hell in the terraces.
After the HardRock goal, supporters started throwing bottled water containers at each other in the terraces, behind the Dynamos’ goalkeeper.
When the fighting eventually spread into the pitch, there was a long delay to try and bring back things to normalcy.
After that fiasco, the match officials eventually made the call.
This was a match that had also experienced a 20-minute delay as more fans were still outside the stadium, trying to get entry. And at kick-off, the atmosphere was electric.
