Mpulula drenched in beers in Tigers loss

Tigers coach Leo Mpulula was drenched in beers by suspected Silver fans as he walked to the dressing room, after his side lost 2-0 to hosts Silver Strikers on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Azam Tigers coach has lodged a complaint to Sulom against the unnamed Silver Strikers supporters who assaulted him.

It had to take Silver board chairperson Kelvin M’mangisa to apologise to Mpulula who expressed shock at the incident. Silver head coach Thom Mkorongo also apologised to Mpulula for the nasty incident.

“I never expected this at this stadium. It is very bad considering that I do not drink,” said Mpulula.

The result on the pitch, however, reflected the general play of the day as it was Silver that put up a grand performance.

The victory was sweetened by the news that Peter Pindani had been called to join the Flames.

“It is good news for Peter (Pindani) who has been playing exceptionally well. He deserves to be part of the national team,” said Mkorongo.

In an interview yesterday, Mpulula claimed that the incident happened as he was being interviewed by some reporters after the game.

“Some Silver Strikers supporters, who were wearing their team’s replica jerseys started hurling insults at me. As if that was not enough, they started pulling my jacket in all directions. They also poured beer on me.

“Actually, it was the reporters who rescued me while security men were just watching,” said Mpulula.

He said he also took up the issue with Silver’s chairperson Dr McDonald Mafuta-Mwale as well as M’mangisa who assured him that they would discipline the supporters.

“I, actually, showed the two officials some of the Silver Strikers supporters who assaulted me,” said Mpulula.

The Tigers coach said he could not understand why the supporters behaved in the manner they did considering that they won the match.

“I did not even offend them,” he said.

In a letter dated June 4 2012 addressed to Sulom president, Mpulula claims he was assaulted while being interviewed by the media after the game.

Part of the letter reads: “I look at this behaviour as very unbecoming, unsporting and risky to our lives as coaches. I would, therefore, like to ask your disciplinary committee to act on this unsporting behaviour which has been displayed by Silver Strikers supporters.”

Sulom president Innocent Bottomani said he was yet to receive Mpulula’s letter.

“But it is very unfortunate. Once we get the complaint we will institute an investigation into the matter,” said Bottomani.

Johnny Kasalika