Age-cheating mars Fifa/FAM U-20 Women Cup

A Fifa/FAM Women Under-20 Cup match between Zomba City Queens and Balaka Secondary School delayed for half an hour on Saturday in Balaka after both sides disagreed on ages of some players.

Balaka Secondary School complained that Zomba City Queens had featured some overage players. The players mentioned were Chimwemwe Billy, Isabel Muliza, Chimwemwe Chibwana and Cecilia Daniel.

The home team demanded that these players should either produce their birth certificates to certify their ages or be withdrawn.

Referee John Nsaiwa tried to reason with Balaka Secondary School captain Zainab Jika and coach Mphatso Sambakunsi to play under protest.

However, the issue took another twist when Zomba City Queens accused of featuring players who played for other teams in the same competition.

Then Southern Region Women Football Committee (SRWFC) member Violet Bunya intervened and asked both sides to play under protest.

“I asked both teams to put their complaints in writing to the committee indicating names of the ineligible players. Our committee will look into the issues raised and make sure a decision is made

before the next match,” said Bunya.

Zomba City Queens won the match 4-0. Although Balaka Secondary School started as minnows, they showed character to contain the visitors for the better part of the first-half.

Earlier, another Zomba-based Sitima Yoce beat Tisewere 1-0 at the same venue. Both City Queens and Sitima cruise to the regional finals.