The Sunday News
ZIFA Southern Region Division One side Old Nic Mine FC has been fined $500 for causing the abandonment of a league tie against promotion candidates Black Boots FC on 11 October.
The encounter was called off after Old Nic Mine walked out of the pitch in protest after Stanley Ngala scored for Black Boots with only a minute to fulltime. Old Nic Mine felt Ngala scored from an offside position, but referee, Nkosilathi Moyo thought otherwise and allowed the goal to stand.
Zifa Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza confirmed the outcome of the hearing adding that $150 was suspended for the rest of the season on condition the team did not commit a similar offence.
Mandaza said Black Boots were awarded the match on a 2-1 scoreline. James Phiri had scored Black Boots’ opening goal with Old Nic Mine getting theirs from Prince Moyo.
The Zifa Southern Region disciplinary committee comprise three lawyers – Godfrey Sangweni (chairman), Sheppard Chamunorwa and Zibusiso Ncube as well as former Zifa Southern Region secretary-general Stanley Ntenezi.
Mandaza said they were happy with the outcome of the disciplinary hearing and would not entertain any disruption to the smooth flow of the league.
“We are at a sensitive stage of the season and would like to appeal to all stakeholders to be guided by fair play as we reach the final stretch of the promotion race. We will not brook any misdemeanours and are certainly willing to allow the law to take its course in such instances,” he said.
Mandaza said as executives they would be attending the remaining matches as spectators as the teams fight for the Division One title.
Black Boots, alongside Technosphere, Tsholotsho, Plumtree Chiefs and Ntabazinduna, are the only clubs with a realistic chance of clinching the sole Premiership ticket, while Old Nic Mine are in the murky waters of relegation.
