Details have emerged of how some misguided fans ‘avenged’ through a sickening post-match stone-throwing orgy targeting the Chad team bus outside Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
With the Flames ill-treated twice in Chad, including having striker Atusaye Nyondo stoned last October and February this year respectively, the message before Saturday’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier was against avenging the hostile reception.
But after beating the visitors 2-0 on Saturday, some fans pelted the Sports Council bus which was carrying the Chadians. One Chad player was missed by a whisker by one of the stones that damaged three windows of the council’s Toyota coaster registration 28 SC 18.
“It means both buses are damaged because someone’s car also hit into the bigger bus as it was parked outside during the game against Nigeria the other week. For the coaster, the driver reported that those who stoned it were chanting that they [Chad] ill-treated the Flames,” explained council executive secretary George Jana on Monday.
“They damaged three glasses and it would seem it was all retaliation. Fortunately, there were no injuries. I do not understand how they could do this when they knew the bus carrying Chad was ours,” he said.
In his report, Blantyre Police assistant public relations officer Sergeant Lameck Thembachako corroborated Jana’s account. He also said when Chad players Nadjim Haroun and Morgan Betorangal returned to their hotel rooms, they discovered that their cellphones and 1 700 euros (K596 700) were missing.
Self-styled national team supporters chairperson Yona Malunga distanced genuine Flames fans from the acts, saying the perpetrators were “thugs who left their homes hell-bent on hooliganism. We need intensive civic education to eradicate this.”
FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda, whose office preached the gospel of peace before the match, yesterday described the stoning of the Chad bus as “very unfortunate”. He said they disapprove the behaviour of the few misguided supporters.
“We will find out if the firm that had planted the CCTV was able to capture the incident. Let us wait and see what CAF is going to do having failed to punish Chad on two occasions. We are hopeful that FAM will continue enjoying good relationship with not only Chad FA but all member associations under Fifa,” said Nyirenda.
Principal secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Alex Mseka said he would comment on the matter once a report is tabled with the minister.
