adminwith the highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash between Black Rhinos and La Liga being abandoned following crowd trouble at One Commando.
Rhinos were leading 1-0 from a Trust Machacha’s first half effort before a Rhinos’ fan walked onto the pitch and attacked La Liga captain Derek Rasai as he prepared to take a corner with 13 minutes remaining.
The referee abandoned the match.
Zifa Northern Region fixture secretary Willard Manyengavana said they will sit as a board and decide on the abandoned game.
“It’s unfortunate the game had to end this way but there is nothing we can do because we cannot argue with the referee.
“We will wait for the ref’s report and I have asked him to bring it quickly before the board so that we can act in time.
“I think it’s something that can be handled easily by the executive but if there is any need to refer it to the disciplinary committee then we will do that.
“We are at the crucial stage of the league and we need to solve the issue as a matter of urgency,” said Manyengavana.
La Liga team manager Bothwell Mahlengwe called for tough action against Rhinos for allegedly bringing the game into disrepute.
“This is really bad for our football and the atmosphere was just intimidating, these are people who should be banned from attending soccer matches.
“We rushed the player to Parirenyatwa hospital for a scan and we have since reported the case to Braeside Police Station.
“We had our chances of coming back into the game, we were not worried of trailing because there was still a lot of time and everything went well until that incident which l think ruined an otherwise good match, said Mahlengwe.
Mwana Africa assumed leadership in the championship race after a convincing 5-0 drubbing of Karoi at Trojan.
The miners got their goals through Rapheal Manuwire (two goals), Quality Kangadzi (two) and Ayiba Kadango.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Region, Buffaloes opened a 12-point-lead over second placed Hippo Valley with seven matches to go.
Results:
Northern Region: Highfield 0, Dstv 0; Mwana Africa 5, Karoi 0; Baca 0, DC Academy 0; ZPC Kariba 2, Flame Lily 2; Eiffel Flats 1, Commando 0; Black Rhinos 1, La Liga 0 (abandoned).
Central Region: TM Eagles FC 1, Lancashire Steel FC 1; FCGlow petroleum FC 0, Silo United FC 0; McINN FC 3, Rutendo Stars 0; Forbes & Thompson FC 2, Zisco Steel 0; Chapungu FC 1, Zim Alloys FC 3; Tongogara 4, Gweru Pirates 1; Blanket Mine 0, Triple B 1; Chrome Stars FC 1, Hard Body 1.
Eastern Region: Hippo Valley 0, Chiredzi 0; Buffaloes 2, Gaza Gunners 0; Don Bosco 1, Mwenezana 0; AMC 1, Mutare United 1; Acturus 0, Triangle 0; Ruwa 0, Renco Mine 1; Tannex 4, ZRP Masvingo 0.
Northern Region
P W D L F A Pts
Mwana Africa 23 13 4 6 39 23 43
FC Laliga* 22 11 9 2 25 11 42
Highfield United 23 12 5 6 33 16 41
DStv Rangers 23 10 11 2 30 15 41
Harare City 22 10 9 3 25 13 39
Black Rhinos* 22 9 10 3 19 10 37
Eiffel Flats 23 7 8 8 21 18 32
ZPC Kariba 23 8 7 8 39 35 31
DC Academy 23 5 11 7 20 20 26
Best Academy 23 5 9 9 21 27 24
Flame Lily 23 4 10 9 25 34 22
Karoi United 23 6 3 14 22 41 21
Commando Bullets 23 4 7 12 18 30 19
Cossy Rules 22 2 3 15 7 44 9
Central Region
P W D L F A Pts
Hardbody FC 24 17 4 3 46 24 55
Tripple B 24 15 7 2 46 10 52
Tongogara FC 24 15 3 6 49 29 48
Zim Alloys 24 13 6 5 41 19 45
Zisco SteelFC 24 10 9 5 36 17 39
Chapungu 23 9 11 3 40 17 38
McINN FC 24 10 8 6 26 14 38
Chrome Stars 24 9 10 5 30 22 37
FC Glow Petroleum 24 8 8 8 32 28 32
Silo United 24 8 7 9 25 31 31
Forbes ^ Thompson 23 6 12 5 27 25 30
Lancashire Steel 24 7 4 13 22 27 25
TM Eagles 24 5 5 14 27 45 20
Gweru Pirates FC 24 4 6 14 32 43 18
Blanket Mine 24 2 6 16 17 51 12
Rutendo Stars 24 0 0 24 5 99 0
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