Police shoot fan
Police on Sunday shot a fan at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre as football violence reared its ugly face again during a TNM Super League match between Be Forward Wanderers and Moyale Barracks.
The identity of the fan could not be established, but authorities at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) last evening described his condition as critical.
“His condition is critical and he is currently in the theatre for surgical operation,” said one of the hospital staff.
Southern Region Police deputy commissioner Foster Mangani confirmed the incident, saying the victim was shot as he attempted to grab a gun from a police officer.
“The incident had nothing to do with the match. Here was someone who was trying to snatch a rifle from a police officer who was trying to calm the situation. Even if it were you, what could you have done?
“Although others are spreading reports that he has died, we have not received such information because that is supposed to come from us,” said Mangani.
According to Mangani, hell broke loose when some people were trying to prevent the police from arresting a person who had allegedly stolen a mobile phone.
“The pandemonium was started by people who were loitering outside the stadium and we had to act swiftly by firing tear gas to calm the situation,” he said.
The commotion led to the match being stopped twice and when it was stopped for the second time, it took over 30 minutes for play to resume as Wanderers demanded security guarantee for their players and fans.
Representatives of the Nomads’ sponsors, who are in the country from Japan, had to be whisked away from the stadium by Wanderers officials as the situation got out of hand.
Several vehicles were stoned in the mid of the chaos.
In the actual match, Moyale took the lead 40 seconds into the second-half through ChrispinFukizi’s 30-metre drive that squirmed past Nomads goaltender Richard Chipuwa.
But just when it appeared that Moyale would return to Mzuzu with maximum points following their 1-0 win over Fisd Wizards the previous afternoon, the Nomads levelled the scores in the dying minutes through their wonderboy Mapopa Kaunda who is fast turning into their super substitute.
The Nomads now have 25 points from 13 games—four short of leaders Big Bullets who are now assured of top finish in the first round regardless of the results in the remaining games. Moyale now have 13 points from 12 games.
