‘Scandal’ at Rufaro

Langton Nyakwenda

Harare City………………………………1

Herentals…………………………………2

IRATE Harare City fans nearly manhandled Herentals owner and player Innocent Benza as they accused the 47-year-old of bribing referees following the Sunshine Boys’ defeat at Rufaro yesterday.

Controversial Midlands-based referee Thabani Bamala once again hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons in a game that produced two first-half goals plus a dubious penalty early in the second stanza.

Harare City had raced into a ninth minute lead through debutant Ashwin Chihowa before the exciting Juan Mutudza equalized five minutes later.

Bamala, who had to be escorted off the pitch, awarded Herentals a penalty in the 54th minute, which was converted by skipper Blessing Majarira, even though the ball appeared to hit Takudzwa Chimwemwe’s back as he attempted to block a Mutudza lob.

The controversial Bamala, who made headlines on April 7 when he denied CAPS United what looked like a clear goal in their Premiership match against Highlanders at Barbourfields, was at it again at Rufaro yesterday.

This time it was Harare City who felt cheated.

City coach Mark Harrison, who described yesterday’s game as scandalous, had no kind words for Bamala whom he accused of denying his side “two penalties” in the first half.

On one occasion, Herentals defender Carlos Mavhurume handled the ball in the 35th minute, as he attempted a sliding tackle but Bamala had none of it amid vociferous calls from the Harare City bench.

“First half was quite even…before we were denied twice. If the hand is out, away from the body there’s no question under the new rules.

“We have been cheated, you wonder why you have to work the whole week, this is scandalous,” fumed Harrison after the match.

But Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva thinks emotions got the better of his counterpart.

“Emotions are very common in football, particularly when you lose a match. If it was Harare City who were awarded that penalty then their coach was going to be happy.

“Why didn’t they score more if they are good?

“We outclassed them today (yesterday).

“We applied what was best for us to win,” noted Mutiwekuziva.

There was more drama after the match as scores of City fans hurled insults at Herentals owner Benza while some nearly manhandled the 46-year-old businessman.

TEAMS

Harare City: M. Nyamupangedengu, M. Machazani, C. Mujuru, M. Diro Nyenye, A. Chihowa (T. Pio 46th min) M. Muchenje (W. Mukanga 71st min) T. Tawengwa, K. Musharu, I. Wadi, T. Tumba (W. Manondo 63th min)

Herentals: S. Gondo, J. Mutudza, C. Mavhurume, B. Majarira, W. Kapumha, B. Maunganidze, I. Benza (T. Chitukutuku 78th min), K. Bingala, T. Benza (R. Hachiro 68th min), P. Chota, B. Majarira (G. Chinobva 87th min)