adminRay Bande Senior Sports Reporter
CASTLE Lager Premiership outfit Buffaloes gaffer Saul Chaminuka, known to some in domestic soccer circles as King Saul, is sensing ‘an anti Mutare conspiracy’ in the top flight league which begun with an unjustified ban on Sakubva stadium at the start of the season and now manifesting itself in consistent biased match officiating against his team.
In a number of recent league matches, the Mutare side has been on the receiving end of atrocious match officiating and the Buffaloes gaffer has complained bitterly about it in some post match interviews with the media.
He recently complained about the performance of Kwekwe referee Thabani Bamala and his first assistant Victor Kambadza after watching his Mutare outfit fall 2-0 at the hands of Castle Lager Premiership log leaders Chicken Inn at Sakubva. Last weekend, Buffaloes forward Clive Kawinga’s strike was disallowed after he was reportedly ruled off side in a perceived diabolical decision that denied Buffaloes a well deserved win over CAPS United away in Harare.Even the very appointment in of referees matches involving the Mutare side has also left more questions than answers after Midlands referees handled the Buffaloes match against Chicken Inn, the match against Flame Lilly was handled by Harare match official and now the match against Dongo Sawmills (yesterday) was handled by referees from Rusape.
Sadly, in the past, the Warriors assistant coach, Chaminuka, has been gagged and fined for speaking against the biased match officiating thus on Saturday he chose to remain silent .
The reigning Castle Lager Premiership Coach of the Year blew his fuse and ranted at the match officials for playing in Chapungu’s corner early this year when he was still with ZPC Kariba, thereby incurring the wrath of the PSL Rules and Regulations, and was promptly fined $1 200.In a no hold barred telephone interview this week, the veteran gaffer poured his heart out saying one would be forgiven to believe that there could be an anti Mutare conspiracy by merely analysing the events unfolding in the top flight league.
“I am quite aware that referees are human and they are bound to make mistakes but the way they are treating us with each passing game is just not fair. It is difficult to take them as mistakes.
“The sad thing is that the powers that be in our football then tell you that you are not supposed to react. It is like they assume we do not have feelings at all. Is it true that we don’t have feelings?“I think the media should help us by reporting objectively what they observe in our stadia. It should not be about Chaminuka complaining all the time but what you guys in the media see for yourselves. In South Africa they have their Soccerzone where they analyse some the performances of their referees.
“In Harare we scored a genuine goal against CAPS United and the match officials said the striker had scored from an off side position. Surely how can we develop as a football playing nation when referees are allowed to decide which club wins the match?“I even feel sorry for my fellow coaches who are being helped to win matches that they do not deserve. I really wonder what the CAPS United coach will be working on this week when referees denied him the chance to see the real weaknesses in his team.
‘The whole thing leaves one thinking that there could be an anti Mutare conspiracy especially when one considers the fact that early this year they wanted to ban Sakubva stadium yet there are worse off venues than Sakubva where football is being playes. Have you been to Lafarge? Have you been to Vengere? One wonders what criteria is used in banning stadiums that leads to banning of Sakubva stadium and all others sanctioned to host PSL matches.
“Yes there could be areas that needed attention but such a hasty and harsh decision leaves us thinking that there could be an anti Mutare conspiracy,” fumed Chaminuka.Recently, Chaminuka had no kind words for Kwekwe referee Thabani Bamala and his first assistant Victor Kambadza after watching his Mutare outfit fall 2-0 at the hands of Castle Lager Premiership log leaders Chicken Inn at Sakubva.
Without taking anything away from the Gamecock’s exciting attacking brand of football, Chaminuka’s sentiments could get credence from a number of Bamala’s questionable calls that bordered on cruelty against the home team, for the greater part of the match.
Just six minutes into the encounter, exciting Farari Banda’s menacing free kick was parried over the crossbar by acrobatic Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze but for reasons best known to the referee, the visitors were awarded a goal kick.
Eight minutes later, the Mutare soldiers were denied what appeared to be a genuine penalty when Banda was almost getting his feet onto a through pass but Chicken Inn ‘s Lawrence Mhlanga clumsily hacked down the goal bound Banda, right in the box.
The referee waved play on.
Online Reporter