Zesco United took the lead in the 31st minute through Winston Kalengo who fired into the bottom corner after being set up by Clatous Chama.
It was at that point when fans started throwing stones onto the pitch, incensed that Chota was in an offside position when he provided the assist for Kalengo’s goal, at the same time chanting that the game was too big for a female referee.
Referee Gladys Lengwe delayed the match for nine minutes before she decided to send both teams off the pitch for security reasons. However, only Zesco United players and their officials walked off to the dressing room area while Mufulira Wanderers players stayed on the pitch.
After a delay of approximately 50 minutes, Match Commissioner Regina Sikazwe decided that the match be played on condition that fans calmed down but Zesco United declined saying there was not enough time to allow players to warm up and that Shinde Stadium did not have lighting for the match to be played under floodlights.
A female Mufulira Wanderers fan known as Ba Gile (Grace) was arrested for attacking a Zesco United fan with a beer bottle security officials confirmed.
Zesco United Public Relations and Media Officer Katebe Chengo described the situation as unfortunate.
“It is quite unfortunate that such a situation happened and that we still experience such things at a time when we are trying to move in the right direction to develop Zambian football.
“It is a huge setback; it is quite unfortunate and disturbing,” Chengo said.
And Mufulira Wanderers Club Secretary Samuel Kalunga believes that the match will be replayed.
“Chances of having the match being replayed are high because the referee after assessing and discussing the situation with both sides allowed the match to continue but Zesco United declined. We do not know why they declined.
“The decision of the referee had 50-50 repercussions on both teams so there was no need to back off,” Kalunga said.
Kalunga insisted that the goal given to Zesco United was scored from an offside position.
“There was an infringement against our player which was ignored before the ball rolled to a player who was in a offside position. The referee allowed play to go and what followed were protests from fans and players,” he said.
A decision on the outcome of the match will be passed by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Disciplinary Committee following reports by match officials.
[FAZ]
If it was Nkana a flood gate of condemnations would have opened. Just a few weeks ago Power Dynamos fans misbehaved after Zesco scored a second goal against them. Mighty fans shouldn’t grow big headed with Division 1 manners where again the misbehaved a while ago. You can’t resume a match after 50 mins where floodlights are dingy. Zesco should be given 3 points period. Worse case scenario is for the match to be replayed at Gabittas (Nchanga) Stadium. Violence even from Nkana should be condemned equally. And Migthy’s primitivity of gender insensitivity is from the 20th century. That said Mighty on the pitch are playing some good brand of soccer and I hail Manfred Chabinga for assembling a very cohesive unit not from so high profile players
@ uncle Bob , I totally agree with u on how u hv analysed shinde saga & am told mighty z playing good football
Whatever the reason was, this stone age mentality by some “soccer fans” should be condemned. In this time and age, we should not allow thuggery in stadiums whenever the referee makes a decision against your team. The problem is we have too many criminals going to soccer matches. You can’t even take your family to watch a match for lack of security.
Going by the many cases of violence at Zambian soccer matches, it shows a majority of soccer fans are primitive and still live in the stone age era. Just look at the EPL and many other european leagues, their stadia do not even have a fence around the main pitch, but the supporters don’t even invade the pitch. They may show disapproval just by shouting if they are not happy with the referee, but they will not become violent and invade the pitch. Lets move with the times please.
@ Billy you are right, am a fan of Might and they have bad history. I remember in 1997 they stoned Shinde stadium offices. After losing a game. Yes Might is one of the biggest club in Zambia with rich history. The likes of Kalusha , Joe Bwalya ,Efford Chabala, Meru and more soccer reigns come from Mufulira. We Condemn that in strongest teams.
Thats what happens when fans and players become overzealous that their club(wanderers)are tipped to be contenders for the league crown.Sad that reality has dawned to wanderers that it will not be easy for them this deciding stanza of games as it were in the first round.This is a crucial time for all teams especially those that in dire relagation waters.My prediction for the return game between wanderers and kalampa;Nkana 3-0 Mufulira wanderera.
Abash violence at Football pitches! We condemn this Stone Age behaviour from the Mighty supporters.
it’s simple ..’ the ref’s decision is final’…Thats all what faz needs to rule.
I agree with you on this one. No matter what we outsiders say, when a ref says you play the game, you should go ahead and play. If you say no, he/she will decide on the next course of action. It will be interesting to see how the disciplinary committee will handle this.
Uncle. Bob your anlysis might be worthwhile but on gendar senstivity,faz and the country as a whole should look on to it.even in the Epl,La Liga,Bundasliga etc their are no females oficialting matches coz of their luck of proper judgement on issues.am not insulting our mothers but womens jugement in speedy conditions are quite partial due to the size of their I,Q.that game needed a man officiating,especially that police officer from kamfinsa,mweemba.
I think the match should be replayed given the circumstances that led to the abandonment.. If ZESCO were given undue advabtage and if really wanderers were denied a genuine earnable spot kick are issues that must not treated lightly before a decison is reached. I urge all decision makers be considerate and extra careful coz their decison can influence the out come of the league. The three points shouldn’t be awarded if the game is not replayed