DIVISION 1 NORTH WRAP-UP: 12TH MAN SHOWS NKANA’S UGLY SIDE.
Nkana FC’s 13-match unbeaten run came to an ugly end on Africa Freedom Day, Friday May 26 when their week 14 game against Kalewa at Wusakile stadium was abandoned deep into extra-time after 90 minutes of play.
The match suffered two stoppages; the first one just before the hour mark after striker Moragn Kapembwa’s 58th minute equalizer was ruled out for off-side by referee Maurice Changwe in a match whose pre-match build-up at the stadium was marred by shenanigans from the hosts.
The second and last disruption came in stoppage time when a pitch invasion ensued then teargas flowed punctuated briefly by the staccato sound of an AK 47 around Wusakile stadium as security personnel tried to disperse the rioting Nkana fans.
This is after Nkana’s fans failed to come to grips with the fact that the better team carried the day despite attempts to frustrate the visitors to get into the stadium and dressing room including at half-time before resumption of the game.
“We are will make an official comment on the incident after we get the referees report on the game,” Referee’s Association of Zambia general Secretary Dickson Soko said Saturday evening.
It is not the first time Nkana’s “12th man” has soiled a match at Wusakile in the three years the fallen record 11-time league champions have been confined to division 1 north.
On March 15, 2005 at the same venue, Nkana fans attacked referee Bernard Chabala after a late 90th minute equalizer from Konkola Blades defender Wellington Mujembe in a match that was abandoned after a pitch invasion with the teams level at 2-2.
It was the third incident in a space of a month in that year from Nkana’s “12th man” at Wusakile.
On April 2 of that year, Nkana hooligans beat up referee Tryson Phiri in Nkana’s 1-1 draw at home in a league game against Tazara Express.
A week later, Nkana players accosted a referee in their 1-0 away loss to Forest Rangers in another league fixture at the same venue.
Nkana were banned from playing at home for the rest of that season.
And still comfortably at the helm of the table this with their lead on 36 points and lead now cut from 16 to 13 after 2nd placed Aggrey Chiyangi’s Chambishi FC beat Muchindu 2-1 at home this Africa Freedom Day on Friday, Nkana’s shameful recent past has returned to haunt them.
Nkana’s “12th Man’s” “By Any Means Necessary” barbaric tactic is sure to tarnish their newly found respect this year as another potential stadium ban looms.
FAZ DIVISION 1 NORTH WEEK 14 RESULTS.
Chambishi 2- Muchindu 1.
Afrisports 0- Lime Hotspurs 0.
INDENI 4- Police Blue Eagles 1.
Ndola United 2- Mufulira Blackpool 1.
Mufulira Wanderers 1- Medical Stars 1.
Chindwin 0- Prison Leopards 0.
Konkola Mine Police FC 0- Kitwe United 1
Nkana should be punished by FAZ for not observing fair play as pay FIFA requirements. Hoolignism in sports is hinders teams, fans, refs, and players from fully expressing them selves on the pitch.
Come on Kalampa fans.It`s about time you started accepting negative results with grace and dignity.I hope FAZ starves these Lumpens of some home games.FAZ should impose a ban of three to five home matches without any fans or should I say Hooligans.If these chaps felt some decisions went against them based on poor officiating.There`re obviously better ways of handling such frustrations.
Otherwise,Amabe we`re 100% behind seeing Nkana back in the Premier league to face teams such as BRAVO Nchanga Rangers
i am kabwe warriors fan and i miss those days when warriors and nkana would play each other,but i dont forsee that happening soon coz they have hooligans at their stadiums watching the games .i hope FAZ make them play in an empt stadium for the rest of the season so that they learn.try to accept when u lose.
Iam sure u Kalampa funs/Hooligans are looking forward to be watching ur team play premier league soccer next season,so behave urselves or else you will be docked of points by FAZ and eventually fail to bounce back,m sure u dont want 2 spend 2008 in div 1,Do u? Remember u might win some but you have just lost one.
So dissappointing after such a fantastic run that Nkana’s acheivements should be marred by hooliganism.
I am a die hard Nkana Supporter, but I do not condone hooliganism. In the days of proper Mine Police such nonsense would not be tolerated.
Let us leanrn to accepte defeat, it was Just not our day…….Mwebaume muletekenya!!!
CcsHkk