National Sports

Silver coach blames witch-hunt for loss

Silver Strikers coach Thom Mkorongo complained of biased officiation by Southern Region referees towards home teams after returning from the region with two red cards and two losses, including 2-1 to Blantyre United on Sunday.

After having their player sent off in the 2-1 loss to non-leaguers Complex Madrid in Zomba to crash out of the Presidential Cup on Saturday, assistant coach Hellings Mwakasungula was also expelled from the Kamuzu Stadium for remonstrating against referee Sam Mangansanja’s officiation.

Silver technical bench started protesting against officiation barely a minute into the TNM Super League game which United won through Brown Mizeye and Muhamad Sulumba’s strikes inside the opening 12 minutes. Blessings Tembo grabbed the consolation on 38th minute.

Mwakasungula finally lost his cool when United defender handled in the penalty box, but Mangansanja probably viewed the incident as ball to hand.

Mkorongo, after this first defeat in five TNM Super League games, was not amused with the officiation.

“This is a typical case of referees showing allegiance towards home teams. Some even challenged that they will give us red cards at all costs as we are playing away,” said Mkorongo in a post-match interview.

His United counterpart Elia Kananji described the win, the first in five Super League matches, as the start of good things to come. Silver still lead the standings on 12 points, followed on 10 points by Red Lions who defeated Bvumbwe Research 2-1 then also on similar points, Big Bullets, who beat Mafco 2-0 and Civo United.

The Civil Servants were held 1-1 by Kamuzu Barracks. Elsewhere, Blue Eagles and Epac FC played out a 3-3 draw with John Banda, Innocent Bokosi and Micium Mhone scoring for the police officers. Epac struck through Musa Manyenje, who notched a double; and one from Darlington Chinthala. In Nchalo, Azam Tigers and Mighty Wanderers drew 1-1.

Southern Region Referees committee general secretary Franscisco on Monday said his office is not aware of any referees’ bias for home teams “and if such things happen, it is unfortunate as we as referees are supposed to be professional irrespective of wherie we are offciating.”

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