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Makhosini Hlongwane

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
SPORT and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane has lashed out the resurgence of hooliganism in football and has implored ZIFA and the Premier Soccer League to come down hard on the culprits who marred the EasyCall Cup semi-final clash between Chicken Inn and CAPS United at Barbourfields at the weekend.

Premiership champions Chicken Inn dispatched CAPS United 3-0 in the first of the semi-finals clashes, but not before hooliganism reared its ugly head and spoiled what had until then been an exciting tournament.

Hlongwane apparently was not amused by the chaos at the stadium, which forced the referee Makonese Masakadza to call off the match prematurely after CAPS United supporters invaded the pitch targeting Chicken Inn players.

Earlier on, the impenitent Green Machine fans had also caused commotion at the stadium by raining missiles onto the pitch and causing a lengthy stoppage.

The Minister yesterday issued a statement in which he demanded that justice should be carried out and urged ZIFA and the PSL to find ways to rid the game of rogue elements.

Hlongwane said the league should identify and come down hard on the culprits.

“The violent scenes that led to the abandonment of the CAPS United versus Chicken Inn match, at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on 5 December 2015, in a NetOne Easycall Cup semi-final game, are a stuck reminder to all football stakeholders that violence continues to blight the beautiful game.

“The Minister condemns all forms of violence in sport and would like to encourage fans, players and all involved to resolve all differences amicably and in accordance with the rules of football.

“The game of football and sport in general should engender the values of discipline, tolerance, competition and appreciation of difference and these values must be strictly adhered to by all sporting codes.

“The Minister is therefore calling on the football authorities to get to the bottom of the violence that rocked the NetOne Easycall Cup semi-final game and bring the culprits to book.

“The Minister is also calling on the Sport and Recreation Commission and the football authorities i.e. ZIFA and PSL to sit down and introduce a framework that enables clean sport and prevents violence in all football matches at all levels,” said Hlongwane.

CAPS United supporters caused mayhem which led to a 20-minute stoppage late in the second half when they rained missiles on the pitch protesting against the referee’s decision to turn down penalty appeals by their striker Antony Fugo in the 77th minute.

Makepekepe were trailing 3-0 at the time and there was no sign the Green Machine supporters would relent. And when the referee decided to continue with the match a police officer had to stand guard behind Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze to protect him from the hooligan elements.

However, the referee was forced to end the match when rowdy Makepekepe fans stormed the pitch and targeted Chicken Inn players in added time following an altercation between Leonard Tsipa and defender Ben Nyahunzvi.

Security at the stadium was also questioned following the incidents as Chicken Inn players were exposed to a great risk of being injured by the thugs.

The PSL chiefs were yesterday still weighing the charges against CAPS United who should be penalised among other things for violence and pitch invasion.

A PSL official said they were expecting to get the referee’s report yesterday and another from the department responsible for the provision of security.

CAPS United board member Alois Bunjira echoed the Minister’s sentiments and proposed harsh punishments which include life bans from the stadium.

The former Warriors winger, who is now board member marketing at the Harare giants, spoke strongly against the mayhem and said the behaviour by a section of their supporters was a huge blow to the club’s brand.

As Makepekepe brace for sanctions from the PSL, Bunjira said it was time hooligans also face the music for their anti-football behaviour.

He said as CAPS United they believe football matches should be pleasant family outings.

The former Zimbabwe international said authorities should take advantage of the television images to identify the culprits and hold them accountable for their actions.

“That was really bad advertisement of our football especially at this time when we are trying hard to build the CAPS United brand.

“We want our supporters to be part of this exercise and that is what we preached about at our corporate dinner recently but it’s sad there are still some people who cannot understand this. We don’t condone such behaviour at all.

“The authorities should make use of TV footage and other newspaper images to identify the culprits and bring them to book. Such elements should be arrested and get punished for their criminal behaviour because they don’t really feel anything when the PSL fines club for their actions.

“They are getting away with murder and these same people will repeat the offences again and again if they are not made to account for their actions. Personally I would also recommend stadium bans for those found on the wrong side,” said Bunjira.

The former Zimbabwe international said security was also inadequate at the venue and urged the PSL to improve on that aspect. The police on Saturday appeared overwhelmed by the riotous supporters.

“I was disappointed by the police’s reaction to the whole episode. It’s their duty to maintain law and order but on this particular instance, I felt they didn’t do much.

“We need more police personnel at our football matches. It’s also time the Premier Soccer League consider hiring private security companies and then get the police to bolster the security.

“Again our security personnel should adopt what is done in more successful leagues where the police pay more attention to what is happening on the terraces. In international matches, police actually give their backs to the stadium the whole 90 minutes, which makes it easier for them to pick out rogue elements.

“I have said this before, if we really want to succeed with our football we need to move with international trends. It doesn’t kill to copy something good, something that is progressive. We need to do things professionally,” said Bunjira.

Chicken Inn will meet Highlanders in the finals. They got their goals through veteran Clemence Matawu, Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Michelle Katsvairo.