Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
Pandemonium erupted at Maglas Stadium on Sunday as a Zifa Central Region Soccer League clash between Shabanie Mine and Gwanda Pirates descended into full-blown violence, complete with alleged gunfire, stabbings, stone-throwing fans, and a three-hour stadium lock-in.
The match was abandoned in the 68th minute, and what followed was incredible football mayhem.
“We were ambushed like animals,” fumed a Gwanda Pirates official. “Even our families seated in VIP were not spared. Stones, bottles — it was war!”
The Pirates say the trouble started after a string of controversial refereeing decisions, including a reversed penalty, sent Shabanie Mine fans into a frenzy. What began as insults quickly escalated into flying missiles and ugly scenes in the stands.
In a strongly-worded statement, Gwanda Pirates accused the hosts of gross negligence. “Shabanie Mine failed to provide adequate security. Our media team was beaten up, their vehicle damaged, and expensive equipment destroyed,” reads part of the statement.
But the ugliest claim came from online reports suggesting a Pirates player, Sianchali, pulled a gun and fired shots during the chaos. The club hit back hard:
“None of our players are armed. That claim is fiction — outrageous and defamatory.”
Even worse, two Shabanie fans were reportedly stabbed, with one graphic image showing a blood-soaked supporter lying motionless. Pirates, however, denied responsibility.
“We are victims here. Our people were pelted, insulted, forced to sit on the pitch like prisoners. Suggesting we were the aggressors is insulting.”
The violence saw five supporter vehicles vandalised, while the Pirates team bus and media van were also attacked. Some fans sustained injuries while scrambling for cover.
“We were trapped for three hours,” said a Pirates official. “It took ZRP intervention to get us out. Only by 11:30 PM had we reached Gwanda safely.”
A formal complaint has been lodged with ZIFA, with the club promising to submit “photo and video evidence of the horror.”
Despite the trauma, Gwanda Pirates ended on a note of peace:
“We believe in football as a unifier, not a weapon of division. What happened at Maglas should never happen again.”
As ZIFA opens investigations, fans across the nation are left asking: Has football lost its soul?
More updates as the story unfolds.
