adminNgqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Football Association has suspended Women Football executive committee member, Cecilia Gambe pending a disciplinary hearing over an incident in which she invaded the pitch during a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare.
Zifa vice-president and adhoc disciplinary committee chairman Omega Sibanda said Gambe has been barred from attending any football activity.
In a statement on Zifa’s website, Sibanda said the football mother body has decided to use stern measures against hooliganism and Gambe will face the disciplinary committee on a date to be announced.
Gambe invaded the pitch during a tie between Mutare City Rovers and How Mine at Sakubva Stadium on 8 May and reportedly threatened the match official, Brighton Chimene after she felt decisions were going against the home side, Rovers.
“During the period of suspension Gambe is prohibited from attending football matches and football events,” reads part of the statement.
Zifa set up an adhoc committee chaired by Sibanda to deal with the issue following wide spread criticism that the association was taking the matter lightly in view of her position. The matter had even courted the ire of Sports Minister, Makhosini
Hlongwane who issued a statement condemning Gambe for her behaviour at a time when the sport was trying to grapple with increased incidents of hooliganism.
Following the incident, Hlongwane wrote to the Sports and Recreation Commission registering his dismay at Gambe’s antics, as well as the violence that rocked the aftermath of the league match between Dynamos and FC Platinum at Rufaro Stadium.
Bongani Ndlovu