Violence mars Reds, Surestream match
Some three fans are battling for their lives and Red Lions bus was smashed to pieces after an ill-tempered TNM Super League game between Surestream FC and Red Lions ended 2-2 at Kamuzu Stadium yesterday.
Suspected soldiers assaulted the fans who were eventually rushed to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) while bleeding profusely. The Lions sympathisers were avenging the fans’ smashing of the visitors’ bus parked in the fenced dressing room. The fans climbed over to stone the bus.
The hooligans smashed the bus after the game in retaliation after the Lions’ players assaulted referee Boniface Chipinga over his award of a last-gasp penalty which earned Surestream their first point in four games. Benard Chimaimba converted both penalties.
After the final whistle, the Lions players chased Chipinga on the pitch. As he retreated towards the eastern gate, the fans descended from the terraces and poured their way to the dressing room to pelt the bus with missiles.
It was an ill-tempered end to the game that had Chipinga denying for off-side the Lions three goals, while awarding Surestream two penalties in the 38th and 90th minutes respectively to cancel out Kumbukani Mwambeni and Innocent Bokosi’s fifth and 50th minute goals for the Lions.
Mwambeni was adjudged to have handled Surestream captain Levison Maganizo’s direct free-kick. Chipinga had earlier also awarded the rookies another penalty in questionable circumstances.
Surestream technical director and coach Peter Mponda said he was happy with the point, but not the performance whereas the Lions assistant coach Prichard Mwansa cried foul over the officiation.
“I have never seen anything like that. Football will never develop with these dubious decisions. I, however, do not condone the behaviour of my players. This is a disciplinary matter,” Mwansa said.
In other games, rookies Mzuni FC stunned Moyale Barracks 3-2 in a Mzuzu derby as Dedza Young Soccer Stars’ impressive entry into the elite league continued with a shock 2-1 defeat of Epac. Airborne Rangers picked their first points with a 2-1 win over Epac FC.
