CAPS UNITED . . . . . . . . . . . .0 CHICKEN INN . . . . . . . . . (2)3 Bulawayo — Violence reared its ugly head when unruly CAPS United fans threw missiles onto the pitch, injuring Chicken Inn players and one of their own as they were hammered 3-0 by the GameCocks in the semi-final of the Easycall Cup at Barbourfields yesterday.
BY FORTUNE MBELE
Irked by Masvingo referee Makonese Masakadza’s decision to deny CAPS United what looked like a penalty in the 80th minute when substitute Pedro Antonio Fuga was brought down inside the box, the Green Machine fans who sat at the Mpilo End started throwing missiles, forcing the match official to stop the game.
CAPS coach Lloyd Chitembwe and club marshals were forced to intervene, but the fans would have none of it. They pelted Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze as he was about to take a free kick after Fuga was penalised for simulation.
The match was stopped for 17 minutes as the fans battled with police officers who were trying to contain the rowdy supporters, damaging the perimeter fence at the Mpilo End.
When the match resumed, with 11 minutes of optional time added and 10 minutes played, a CAPS United fan scaled the perimeter fence in front of the police officers and invaded the pitch, lunging onto Chicken Inn defender Devine Lunga before fleeing with the Chcken Inn players in hot pursuit.
The skirmishes continued with fans from the Soweto End also invading the pitch and overpowering police officers who had not called for reinforcement in the ensuing clashes.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The unruly CAPS United fans started pelting Chipezeze with missiles in the 57th minute after Chicken Inn striker Michelle Katsvairo scored the third goal. In the skirmishes, Chicken Inn defender Lunga, Lawrence Mhlanga and CAPS United’s Fuga were injured.
Masakadza did not blow to officially end the game and match commissioner Ndabezinhle Ncube refused to comment, referring questions to Premier Soccer League competitions manager Elisha Mandireva.
Mandireva said the teams had been advised that the match had ended.
“The referee is saying it [the match] ended,” Mandireva said.
Chicken Inn, who outclassed CAPS United in the first half with brilliant play from Clemence Matawu, scored the first goal as early as the third minute through the veteran midfielder who got to the end of a George Majika cross from the left.
In the 23rd minute, a beautiful build up involving Matawu, Katsvairo and skipper Danny Phiri saw Tafadzwa Katinyu place the ball past Jorum Muchambo.
CAPS United came rejuvenated from the break, but Katsvairo’s third goal in the 57th minute finished them off.
