The Sunday News
ZIFA Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza has said they would not be reacting to baseless match-fixing rumours that have surfaced as the race for the Division One title hots up saying such kind of unfounded utterances were characteristic of a tight championship race.
There were reports that the match between Bulawayo Chiefs and Old Nic Mine, that saw the latter receive a 6-0 drubbing, was subject of investigation following allegations that Old Nic used an infield player as a goalkeeper.
However, Mandaza said they had neither received any complaint nor any anomalies highlighted in match officials’ reports.
“I think at this time of the race it is normal for questions to be raised over high scoring matches but when these things happen in the early stages of the league you will not hear such accusations. Obviously when the competition is hotting up you are bound to have such allegations being peddled but in connection with the Chiefs and Old Nic match we are not investigating it because that is mere speculation,” said Mandaza.
“Genuine and legitimate high scoring games can happen any time but sometimes people just raise their eyebrows when there is nothing illicit happening.”
The battle for the sole ticket to the Premiership is turning out to be between Bulawayo City and Chiefs who occupy first and second position respectively. Going into the weekend matches City were on 40 points while Chiefs had amassed 37 with third placed Bantu Rovers on 33.
Mandaza, however, said they were keeping their eyes wide open to any untoward activities that might take place in the league.
He urged clubs to practice fair play adding it would be embarrassing to be stripped of the title after being found on the wrong side of football laws.
Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda expressed his anger at the allegations telling reporters last week at Luveve Stadium that there was no truth in the rumours as the concerned player had previously played as a goal minder and was only called in after Old Nic had a goalkeepers crisis due to injuries.
Mandaza said during their annual general meeting scheduled for Hwange in a fortnight they would discuss the issue of games being played on the same days and at the same time.
“We are yet to reach that stage where teams play at the same time to avoid fixing matches but we will discuss this during the AGM and set a date on when to start,” he said.
