Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
VIOLENCE marred a Zifa Central Soccer League (CSL) game pitting hosts Nichrut and Tongogara at Peak Mine Stadium at the weekend.
Tongogara won the encounter 2-0 to hand the hosts their first home defeat this season.
Maxwell Muzondo scored on either side of the break to secure maximum points for the army team.
Unhappy Nichrut supporters threw missiles at Tongogara players and officials soon after the final whistle injuring the visitors’ chairman Munyaradzi Marimbindi in the process.
Marimbindi said the army side had lodged a formal complaint with the CSL over the violence.
“It’s true that I was injured when some Nichrut fans threw missiles protesting against their team’s home defeat. We have lodged a formal complaint with the CSL over the matter and we are waiting to hear from them,” he said.
However, CSL chairman Stanley Chapeta said they had not yet received the army side’s complaint, but condemned the acts of violence.
“I am yet to be briefed on that, but as soon as we get official communication, we will look at their papers and forward them to the disciplinary committee to take action,” said Chapeta.
“However, let me hasten to say that we have zero tolerance for violence and those caught on the wrong side will be severely dealt with. As a region, we want football to be the winner at the end of the day,” he said.
The Nichrut incident is the second act of hooliganism after ZRP Beitbridge made a formal complaint against Shabanie Mine, whose supporters allegedly harassed the border town outfit’s players and officials during a league encounter at Maglas Stadium in Zvishavane.
Results
MSU 2-2 Kwekwe Sables, Ivan Hoe 4-1 Jessie Mine, Vumbachikwe 2-0 ZRP Gwanda, ZRP Beitbridge 3-0 Chrome Stars, FC Platinum U19 1-0 Gweru United, Nichrut 0-2 Tongogara, Shabanie Mine 2-1 ZPC Munyati, Blanket Mine 3 – 0 Whawha