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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
FOCUS will be on the referees when Bulawayo City plays host to visiting FC Platinum in a league match set for Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.

A war of words erupted following Chicken Inn’s 0-1 loss to the Midlands giants after some appalling officiating by Gweru based referee Thomas Massa that saw the home side being denied two penalties while midfielder Thabani Goredema was red carded.

Chicken Inn went ballistic and threatened to have the league suspended until proper referees’ structures were put in place and Massa banned from refereeing.

The storm sucked in Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda after FC Platinum hit back and accused him of unprofessionalism even though Sibanda only called for fair officiating by referees.

A Bulawayo City official Eddie Chivero, who is the liason officer for the municipality side, came to the defence of Sibanda.

“The guilty are always afraid, what wrong did the Zifa vice president commit? He only challenged referees to be professional in their handling of matches. All he wants is fairness to all teams including FC Platinum,” said Chivero.

In April Chapungu suspended their assistant coach Clement Mugari for alleging that FC Platinum bribe referees. Meanwhile, Bulawayo City coach Ncube said his boys are ready to revenge following their defeat by FC Platinum at Mandava two weeks ago.

Speaking to sportszone, Ncube said the reverse fixture at Mandava Stadium was the first half and today’s match is the last stanza.

“We are ready for them and we are going to play. I want to beat Platinum with the same score-line at BF (Barbourfields). They were very lucky to have collected maximum points against us.

“It’s a game of two halves. They played their first half at Mandava and the second half will be in Bulawayo. They managed to utilise their home advantage and we are going to do the same,” said Ncube.