adminGrace Chingoma Sports Reporter
BLACK Rhinos Queens players Rufaro Machingura and Tariro Makumbe are expected to appear in court today for assaulting referee Mercy Maimbo on Saturday during the NetOne Cup final at Rufaro.Former Mighty Warriors striker Machingura and Makumbe took the law into their hands after the match, which ended 2-2 and was eventually won 5-4 by Inline Academy in a penalty shoot-out.
Now the players face sanctions, which could include a ban from football.
Zifa yesterday condemned the action by the duo with the association’s spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said the players would be dealt with in terms of football statutes.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association would like to condemn, in strongest terms, the violent attack on referee Mercy Maimbo by Black Rhinos Queens players, Rufaro Machingura and Tariro Makumbe, during the NetOne Cup final on Saturday.
“In terms of laws of the game, referees are empowered to have a final decision and we would like to make it explicitly clear that REFEREES ARE UNTOUCHABLE.
“We do not condone violence and the two culprits will inevitably face the full wrath of football statutes. The beautiful game of football celebrates ethos of non violence and fair play, hence the rogue and violent behaviour of the two players cannot go unpunished”, said Gwesela in a statement.
Their case is not new on the domestic scene as it brings back to mind the ugly incident when former Masvingo United players Lloyd Hlahla and Muzondiwa Gonese assaulted a match referee and were banned for life before winning a reprieve when they appealed.
Meanwhile, the Mighty Warriors, who play against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Friday in an international friendly at Rufaro, trooped into camp last night.
The South Africans are expected in the country tomorrow.
The squad largely comprises of the national Under-20 players who would be playing in the African Union Sports Council Region Five Youth Games.
About nine senior players, including captain Felistas Muzongondi, have also been drafted into the 25-member squad to face the South Africans.
The Young Mighty Warriors technical team, led by coach Langton Giwa, will be in charge of the match.
The Zimbabwe senior women’s team failed to qualify for the African Women Championships after they were booted out by Zambia in the qualifiers last month.
Gwesela also revealed that they expected all players to be in camp by last night.
“All players called by the coach for national duty are expected to be in camp at Daisy Lodge by 7pm today. ”
Giwa told the Zifa website they have been presented with an early opportunity to assess and prepare the team for the Region Five Youth Games.
“We are aware of the danger that South Africa is going to pose, but we will do our best as we also prepare for the Youth Games. My team is a blend of junior and senior players but most of them are Under 20 players,” he said.
Squad
Mavis Chirandu, Lincie Mpaya, Sithembile Nyoni, Rejoice Kamvumvuti, Sukuluhle Ndhlovu, Rudo Neshamba, Chido Dzingirai, Marjoury Nyaumwe, Felistas Muzongondi, Chipo Marondera, Gracious Mageza, Greater Bhande, Mercy Marowa, Felistas Muchekenyi, Sehliselo Nyoni, Vimbai Mharadzi, Melody Musasa, Chido Muhara, Lydia Mapunhure, Emmaculate Msipa, Yvonne Mutsakuni, Yolanda Mare, Ethel Chinyerere, Rachel Mutseneki, Precious Chirinda.
Technical team: Langton Giwa (head coach), Sithetheliwe Sibanda, Daniel Kabanga (goalkeeper’s coach), Debra Green (team manager), Dorothy Masawi (doctor), Abigail Munikwa (physiotherapist)
Online Reporter