Sports / Soccer
Banned Gumede 'incited' Mandava violence
21 Nov 2016 at 09:47hrs | Views
State run Herald has suggested that banned Highlanders Chief Executive Officer Ndumiso Gumede incited crowd trouble at Mandava stadium by his mere presence.
Highlanders lost three nill to home side FC Platinum.
That led to some suspected Highlanders fans in throwing missiles.
However, the publication questioned Gumede's presence in the stadium.
It wrote "Highlanders' chief executive Ndumiso Gumede, banned from all football activities by ZIFA last week, was at Mandava yesterday and watched helplessly as his club's bid to end 10 years of waiting for the league title was ended by FC Platinum who powered to a 3-0 victory over the Bulawayo giants.
"Gumede responded to the ban by warning the ZIFA leadership that they risk sparking a tribal war in football. But, after trouble erupted at Mandava, with Bosso fans raining missiles on the pitch after the home side doubled their lead, to effectively end Highlanders' championship quest, questions are now being asked whether Gumede's statements might have played a part in fanning the trouble".
During the commotion, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was hit by a stone in the 72nd minute, minutes after Musona had scored the second goal.
He said after the game "Is this football? A family environment was turned into a war zone.
"I was hit by a stone on the shoulder from the back and I am feeling some pain".
Highlanders lost three nill to home side FC Platinum.
That led to some suspected Highlanders fans in throwing missiles.
However, the publication questioned Gumede's presence in the stadium.
It wrote "Highlanders' chief executive Ndumiso Gumede, banned from all football activities by ZIFA last week, was at Mandava yesterday and watched helplessly as his club's bid to end 10 years of waiting for the league title was ended by FC Platinum who powered to a 3-0 victory over the Bulawayo giants.
"Gumede responded to the ban by warning the ZIFA leadership that they risk sparking a tribal war in football. But, after trouble erupted at Mandava, with Bosso fans raining missiles on the pitch after the home side doubled their lead, to effectively end Highlanders' championship quest, questions are now being asked whether Gumede's statements might have played a part in fanning the trouble".
During the commotion, FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was hit by a stone in the 72nd minute, minutes after Musona had scored the second goal.
He said after the game "Is this football? A family environment was turned into a war zone.
"I was hit by a stone on the shoulder from the back and I am feeling some pain".
Source - Byo24News
