43-0 women football result stands
Southern Region Women Football Association (SRWFA) disciplinary committee has ruled that Ntopwa Super Queens’ 43-0 victory over Chikwawa FC during the SRWFA League match in Blantyre still stands.
The committee’s general secretary Kingsley Simbeye yesterday confirmed the verdict, which has been signed by its chairperson Benjamin Mhango.
The development means it is now official that Ntopwa are the eventual champions of the eight team league for the first time, having pipped immediate past champions Blantyre Zero on goal difference after tying on 30 points.
The disciplinary committee launched the probe into the result after Chikwawa head coach Arnold Mwatha complained that they did not send a team to play against Ntopwa but they were surprised to learn that they had lost the match by a cricket scoreline.
Before that match, Zero was at the summit of the log-table by a 10-goal difference. However, after the result, Ntopwa turned the tables.
Part of the ruling, dated November 29 2019, but released yesterday, reads: “In view of the foregoing, we advise that the game was played and the result stands.”
“Should Chikwawa not be happy with the ruling, they are at liberty to appeal within 48 hours upon payment of K50 000 cash to National Women Football Association [NWFA] appeal committee.”
According to the committee’s findings, it was established that Chikwawa coach requested for the postponement of the game on October 31 2018 through the vice-general secretary instead of the fixtures secretary. It was also noted that most of Chikwawa players are based in Blantyre and did not receive any communication regarding the postponement of the game.
The committee determined that a game can only be postponed when there is death of a player or official and unforeseen circumstances and that five Chikwawa players present during the hearing confirmed taking part in the match.
But in an interview yesterday, Mwatha said they will appeal the ruling because they believe the verdict is unfair.
“This ruling is very unfair and inconsiderate; we will come up with an appeal,” he said.
