Violence mars NetOne Cup finals

Sport
Violence reared its ugly head once again in the game of football at Rufaro yesterday when Black Rhinos’ Rufaro Machingura and Tariro Makumbe attacked the referee of the day Mercy Maimbo.

Inline . . . (1)1 Black Rhinos . . . (0)1

Extra time. . . 2-2 Penalty shootouts Inline win 5-4

By Tatenda Kunaka

Violence reared its ugly head once again in the game of football at Rufaro yesterday when Black Rhinos’ Rufaro Machingura and Tariro Makumbe attacked the referee of the day Mercy Maimbo accusing her of helping Inline Academy win the NetOne knockout tournament finals.

The two culprits were arrested by the police after the drama.

Bulawayo-based side Inline Academy won the match 5-4 after penalties.

The match had ended 1-1 after regulation time and went on to finish 2-all after extra time.

The teams drew 4-all in the first five penalties with Machingura missing the decisive penalty in sudden death shootouts.

The first half was a dull encounter marked by poor passing, with Inline striker Rudo Neshamba’s headed goal in the 40th minute the only thing to talk about.

Black Rhinos equalised in the 78th minute through Rutendo Makore and she completed her brace in the 113th minute, in the second half of extra time.

Sibonginkosi Nleya saved Inline from the jaws of defeat four minutes later to force the match into penalties.

The match was marred by poor officiating with match referee Maimbo’s decisions seemingly against Black Rhinos on many occassions.

Janittor Saunyama, the Black Rhinos coach, said he was disappointed by the behaviour of his players though he felt hard done by the referee’s decisions on many occasions.

Women football boss Miriam Sibanda who graced the occasion called for the arrest of the players whose behaviour went out of hand.