adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Sports Correspondent
Chiredzi FC goalkeeper Simon Kafitire whose expulsion affected his team’s chances of an outright victory in their match against FC Platinum on Saturday, has apologised for his behaviour. Kafitire was expelled after 38 minutes for punching FC Platinum striker Marshall Mudehwe in the stomach in an off-the-ball incident. In an interview, a remorseful Kafitire said he was responsible for the 1-1 draw against the highly fancied Zvishavane miners and promised to make amends if presented with another opportunity to play.
Moses Chunga’s charges who were the better side on the afternoon, scored through Munyaradzi Chiwara within 30 seconds of the match in what might be the fastest goal of the season. The visitors equalised in the last minute of the game through midfielder Thabani Kamusoko.
“I take responsibility for the draw and I want to apologise to my coach, teammates and fans. It was a moment of madness and I do not know what crept into my mind,” Kafitire said.
He however blamed the Chiredzi referee Jimmy Makwanda for “overreacting” as he thought the offence would only attract a caution.
“I did not expect to get a straight red card. The punishment was too harsh considering that Mudehwe was the one who had scorned me. I agree that I reacted stupidly, I just lost my cool.
“Mudehwe mocked me over my height saying he would score whether I wanted it or not. He said because I am short I would not deny him a scoring opportunity and that annoyed me. It is only that the referee did not hear that. He got away with murder,” he claimed.
Mudehwe admitted that he had sarcastically joked about Kafitire’s height but said it did not warrant any physical confrontation.
“Yes, it is true that I joked with Kafitire because of his height. The provocation however did not call for that moment of madness. I had promised that I would definitely score and I repeatedly said it. That could have infuriated him to the extent of punching me in the abdomen but he should not have done that because that is a punishable offence,” said Mudehwe.
“I had to appear badly hurt because I knew we were going to have a one man advantage. However, the opposite team was resolute at the back that we needed added time to snatch a draw. Chiredzi FC was tough and the players are mobile, a number of teams will definitely fall to them.”
Online Reporter