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Katebe, playing in a seemingly unfamiliar midfield role, saw red after Mlindeli Ndebele and his assistant Happy Jele concurred that he had elbowed Masimba Mambare in an off-the-ball incident.
Many neutrals still insist that the wrong player was sent off.
Hwange spokesperson Burzil Dube yesterday said his team subscribes to fair play. He said while it was unfortunate that an offence had been committed, they were disappointed that the wrong player was expelled.
Daniel Kamunhenga elbowed the Highlanders player in the Castle Lager Premiership match played at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
Highlanders won the battle 1-0 to go seven matches without a loss.
“All the boys in the team, including fans, are saying it definitely was not Katebe. They say Daniel was close to the action when Mambare went down clutching his face. We are for fair play and we are disappointed that the referee expelled the wrong player.
“As Hwange, we are going to appeal so that in future referees do not make such mistakes. Even video evidence exonerates Katebe,” said Dube.
The club will not be affected even if the PSL upholds the two-match suspension because the Zambian is expected to be away for up to three weeks with Chipolopolo.
He earned his first cap for his country in a friendly match against Angola last week and came out with flying colours on his debut.
“Katebe left immediately after the match to join Zambia for the forthcoming June Afcon and World Cup qualifiers fixtures,” said Dube.
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said they usually act on referees’ reports for such issues.
“There have been instances where you leave the stadium convinced a certain player was the goal-scorer, only to get a different name from the referees’ report.
“It would be the first time that we get such a situation where a club requests we reconsider who should have been suspended,” said Ndebele.
Online Reporter