adminVumbachikwe players and officials vehemently protested against Thwala’s decision as they argued that the Tripple B player, Simon Maengeni was hacked down outside the box before eventually taking to the dressing rooms which left the match officials with no option but to end the match.
Incensed by the referee’s decision, Vumbachikwe secretary, Tofara Sibanda said his team is contemplating pulling out of the league.
A similar situation almost occurred at the same venue 24 hours later when a Silo United goal was disallowed for offside by another Gwanda referee Nkosana Nduna which would have seen the Kwekwe side level the scores against FC Strikers who had taken the lead in the 17th minute through Agrippa Sibanda.
A well-taken freekick 10 minutes from the break saw the FC Strikers goalkeeper spilling the effort and an alert Edmore Chirambadare pounced on the mistake but the referee adjudged that the player was in an offside position.
The decision by the Gwanda referee triggered a five-minute stoppage as the visitors felt robbed and it took the intervention of club chairman Michael Njobvu who indicated to the match commissioner that his side was going to play the match under protest before play resumed.
Vavheneki as Strikers are known put the match beyond the reach of the visitors when substitute, Maxwell Mavhaniko rose from the bench in the 74th minute to put his team in firm control of the proceedings after his header increased his side’s advantage.
After the match Silo assistant coach, Kenneth Chembe blamed the loss on biased officiating and accused them of ignorance on the laws of the game.
Results:
Chapungu 3, Airstars 0; Tongogara 0, Whawha 0; FC Platinum Under-19 2, Town United 1; Chrome v MSU (postponed), Blanket Mine 1, New Zimsteel 2; FC Strikers 2, Silo 0; Tripple B v Vumbachikwe (abandoned)
Online Reporter