Wanderers in double violence

Mighty Wanderers players and fans were involved in violent acts in their weekend games against Red Lions and Mponela in Zomba and Balaka respectively.

On Saturday, Nomads fans were in acts of hooliganism in protesting referee Dennis Ngulube’s decision to show striker Diverson Chilemba the red card for performing a diver’s technique in search of a penalty.

Barely 24 hours later, Nomads player Idrissa Walesi allegedly assaulted Mponela’s Chikweza Menyani and hell broke loose and it had to take the intervention of police and Wanderers supporters committee chairperson Yona Malunga to calm down the situation.

Mponela general secretary Blessings Matelemani confirmed lodging a complaint at Balaka Police.

“As a result of the missiles thrown by Wanderers fans, our bus windows were smashed and two players were injured.

“We also lodged a complaint about Walesi’s conduct and the police recorded statements,” said Matelemani.

Balaka Police publicist Joseph Sauka confirmed receiving Mponela’s complaint and said they have launched investigations into the matter.

“Police, with the support of a few Wanderers supporters committee officials, managed to control the situation that enabled Mponela to leave the stadium,” said Sauka.

However, Nomads general secretary David Kanyenda and Malunga blamed the violence on other factors such as officiation, which they said authorities must address.

“We have not been charged with any acts of hooliganism and we are not making a confession. However, should we be charged then we will defend ourselves,” said Kanyenda.

Kanyenda also claimed that they are aware of a conspiracy against the Nomads, but he could not elaborate.

Malunga said he could not comment on the Zomba incident because he was not there, but he blamed Mponela players for causing the ugly scenes at Balaka.

“It was actually one of their [Mponela] players who beat up one of our players, Mayeso Mphanje, and when Idrissa intervened, hell broke loose. It is not like Wanderers fans or players started the fracas,” said Malunga.

He called upon Sulom and FAM to heed his call and provide resources to enable supporters committees to sensitise their followers in the zones on the need to refrain from violence.

“We need to interact with the fans; otherwise, it will be difficult to curb acts of violence. Referees also need to take a firm line because most of the times, they are the cause,” he said.

Sulom president Innocent Bottomani, who watched Saturday’s game, described the events as unfortunate.

“I was there in Zomba and it was unfortunate to see some officials perpetrating violence. Anyway, we are waiting for the reports from match officials and appropriate action will be taken,” he said.

There were also acts of violence in Wanderers’ Carlsberg Cup match against Red Lions in Zomba. The Nomads are also currently serving a 10-match ban from playing their games at Kamuzu Stadium following violent scenes that occurred during their first-round league game against Blue Eagles.