The Sunday News
Chicken Inn …………………………………………… (1) 1
Dongo Sawmills …………………………………………. 0
(Match abandoned after 60 minutes)
CHICKEN Inn goalkeeper’s coach Julias “Siza” Ndlovu had his moment of shame when he allegedly assaulted Dongo Sawmills medic Urayai Chiparange leading to the abandonment of the Castle Lager contest between the two teams with an hour played at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Referee Philani Ncube had no choice but to call off the match after a lengthy stoppage when Dongo Sawmills officials insisted that they did not feel safe since the incident happened in front of the police who failed to arrest Ndlovu. Ncube sent off Ndlovu from the Chicken Inn technical area who was later arrested and taken to Luveve Police Station where according to Chicken Inn chairman Lifa Ncube he was released without a charge as there was no complainant.
“Julias Ndlovu is at home now, he was released without being charged by the police, they said they will proceed by way of summons if there is a need to,’’ said the Chicken Inn chairman.
Match Commissioner Michael Phiri explained that the referee could not allow more time for the Rusape based side to decide if they still wanted to continue with the match.
The visitors had even insisted that police officers present at the stadium should guard their technical zone for the match to continue. Still after their impossible demands were met, they still refused to play.
It all started when Chiparange was passing in front of the Gamecocks technical zone after treating his injured team player when he fell to the floor. Fourth official Bwanali Bonamali called over the referee Ncube, pointed at Ndlovu as being the one responsible for Chiparange’s going to the ground. The referee told the Chicken Inn goalkeepers coach to vacate his team’s bench.
Dongo Sawmills officials were not satisfied and confronted the police asking why they had not arrested Ndlovu since the incident took place in front of them. Even after Ndlovu had been taken away to the police station, efforts to persuade the visitors did not yield any results.
Chiparange was attended to by PSL hired medics before he was taken away in an ambulance to hospital for further treatment with a bandaged right eye.
Dananai Chinowawa, the Dongo Sawmills assistant coach accused Ndlovu of punching Chiparange. Chinowawa disclosed that they did not feel safe enough to continue with the match since the police failed to protect them.
“He (Ndlovu) is a coach, he is supposed to lead by example. He hit him with a fist and police failed to arrest him. Security was not proper, we were not comfortable at all, our players had loosened their composure,’’ said Chinowawa.
PSL chief executive Kennedy Ndebele last night said he could not comment until he gets the match report tomorrow.
Away from the controversy, Dongo had for most parts of the match succeeded in frustrating Chicken Inn with a stubborn defence marshalled by former Gamecocks striker Evans Chikwaikwai.
Midfielder Tafadzwa Kutinyu found the goal for the log leaders three minutes before the break after being put through by Passmore Bernard.
