Barbaric

What appeared as an easy Carlsberg Cup semi-final fixture turned out to be a nightmare for Be Forward Wanderers who had to use every trick in the book, including clobbering their opponents Mangochi Police’s goalkeeper George Chauya at half-time to force him out of the match.

At half-time, as the teams were going to the dressing rooms, a group of Nomads supporters, probably frustrated by Chauya’s heroics, ambushed and pounced on him like a thief and the player had to be rushed to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), forcing the Malawi Police Service side to introduce Mussa Katawa.

Although there was heavy police presence, no arrest was made. Mangochi threatened to walk away from the game, but after being persuaded by Football Association of Malawi (FAM) officials, they agreed to play under protest.

Wanderers took advantage of the absence of the impressive goalkeeper, who saved three penalties in the quarter-final and scored the lone goal through substitute Ishmael Thindwa in the 61st minute to book a place in the final.against PremierBet Wizards,

They will meet the winner of today’s semi-final between Silver Strikers and Mafco at Civo Stadium.

Mangochi team manager Andrew Ndalira described the barbaric incident that characterised the match as a shame to football.

He said: “Wanderers knew they would not score past that goalkeeper. That is why they attacked him. During the pre-match meeting it was stressed that no supporter should be at the dressing rooms and the tunnel to ensure players’ safety.

“But Wanderers supporters were everywhere—in the pitch, dressings rooms and the tunnel. Is this what sponsors Carlsberg Malawi Limited want to see happening in their cup? Let us wait and see if football rules and regulations are applied.”

Competitions manager Gomezgani Zakazaka said they would wait for reports from referee Duncan Lengani and general match coordinator Raphael Humba.

“I cannot speculate what will happen. We will have to get the reports first before I can say what will be the next course of action,” he said.

The Nomads started on a high note hoping for an early goal, but their efforts were frustrated as the lower league side absorbed the pressure.

Ace striker Peter Wadabwa was tightly marked by Mangochi defence of Gilbert Chisambo, Aubrey Nyondo, Rabson Bwanali and Charles Douglas.

Twin striker Jimmy Zakazaka was also put on a leash. A moment of relief only came when Thindwa, who replaced Zakazaka, scored with his first touch from a goal mêlée.

Team manager Steve Madeira said the Nomads were keen to defend the cup with a clean sheet.

“We have not conceded any goal this far and we are confident that we can defend the cup without letting in a goal,” he said. n