Rachael Kaphaizi
Football commentators have called on Super League of Malawi (Sulom) to conduct an investigation and punish Mafco players who maliciously stepped on and injured FCB Nyasa Big Bullets player Wongani Lungu.
On Sunday afternoon, the game between Bullets and Mafco brought multiple incidents which made people voice out concerns on local football officiation and the professional conduct of some Mafco players during their one nil loss to the super league defending champions.
Towards the end of the match, three Mafco players, Vitumbiko Phiri, Blessings Chandiyang’ana and Francis Black took turns deliberately stepping on Bullets midfielder Wongani Lungu when he was down inside Mafco’s penalty box.
The encounter left Lungu with some bruises on his right leg and he was stretched out for Kenneth Pasuwa.
The incident happened within in the presence of referee Kasimu Shaibu Amadu but none of those players were given matching orders apart from yellowing carding goalkeeper Christopher Mikuwa who appeared to slap an opponent in the fracas.
Former Flames striker Esau Kanyenda posted on his facebook minutes after the match, saying: “If the referee’s body will fail to trace this incident and act, I think the Super league of Malawi (Sulom) will intervene.”
Football commentator Kimu Kamau said he has asked Mafco to apologize Bullets on the incident and calls officials to discipline those players involved.
“That was very un professional and those players should be suspended and Mafco should also make sure that they write Nyasa Big Bullets to apologize for their unsporting behavior, the 4th official should also be suspended,” he said.
Commenting after the match, Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa was fuming.
“I have been seeing this officiating going on and on, and I have been losing players, I have been quiet and I haven’t been talking of anything. You have seen yourself, the officiation is bad, let us protect these players,” he said.
The match ended in favor of Bullets courtesy of Maxwell Gasten Phodo’s lone first half strike after being set by Babatunde Adepoju.
On his part, Jimmy Mzunga, coach for Mafco praised the improvement in his players, saying he “sees a future.”
“Not satisfied as much but we are somehow better,” he stated.
Mafco is on position 9 having played 23 games. They have amassed 30 points from 7 wins, 9 draws and 7 losses.
Line ups:
Bullets:
Innocent Nyasulu, Yamikani Mologeni, Gomezgani Chirwa ©️, Clyde Senaji, Crispin Mapemba, Yankho Singo, Wongani Lungu, Ernest Petro, Stanely Billiat, Maxwell Phodo, Babatunde Adepoju
Mafco:
Christopher Mikuwa, Paul Ndhlovu, Francis Black, Duncan Mwale, Blessings Chandiyang’ana, Peter Kasonga, Mphatso Phillimon, Stain Malata, Vitumbiko Phiri, Yohane Malunga, Auspicious Kadzongola.
