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Saidi Phiri

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZRP Bulawayo goalkeeper Nkosilathi Mlalazi faces a lengthy ban for assaulting referee Saidi Phiri during his team’s Southern Region Division One League match against Talen Vision on Saturday at Ross Camp Stadium.

Mlalazi, popularly known as Mumuza, stormed onto the field from the terraces to strike Saidi on the back of his head after Vision scored a late goal through former Bulawayo City striker Dingani Maphosa.

The goalkeeper had been red carded in the 72nd minute for a crude lunge on Maphosa.

The attack on the referee was captured on video by Bulawayo-based freelance journalist Thandazani Zimbwa.

Zifa Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza said appropriate action will be taken against Mlalazi for his rogue behaviour.

“Be rest assured that stern measures will be taken against the perpetrator (Mlalazi). Of course, we will stand guided by the referee’s and match commissioner’s reports. We don’t tolerate rogue elements in our league and those bent on bringing the game of football into disrepute will be dealt with,” said Mandaza.

In 2016, the Zifa Southern Region disciplinary committee slapped Victoria Falls Tigers defender Lethukuthula Mathe with a 10-year ban for assaulting referee Bekezela Makeka during a Division One league derby against Amagagasi.

Meanwhile, leaders Hwange maintained their two-point lead over fellow former Premiership side Tsholotsho following a 1-1 draw away against Indlovu Iyanyathela. Hwange are on 22 points from 11 games.

Tsholotsho also played to a 1-1 draw against Moto Moto in Hwange, picking a valuable point that keeps them within the title race.

Victoria Falls-based Mosi Rovers were toppled from second place into third by Tsholotsho after losing 1-2 to NRZ Leopards in Dete.

Draw specialists Toronto salvaged a point in Hwange, as they held ambitious Makomo to a 2-2 draw.

It was Toronto’s eighth draw of the season and they remain the only side yet to register a win after 11 rounds of matches.

Results
Saturday: NRZ Leopards 2-1 Mosi Rovers, ZRP Bulawayo 0-1 Talen Vision (abandoned), Indlovu Iyanyathela 1-1 Hwange, CIWU 0-0 Zim Leopards, Mainline 1-2 Casmyn, Makomo 2-2 Toronto, Bosso 90 0-0 ZPC Hwange

Tomorrow: Moto Moto 1-1 Tsholotsho (Mpumalanga)

Table

P    W    D    L    F        A    GD    Pts
Hwange    11    6    4    1    16        5    11    22
Tsholotsho    11    5    5    1    11        6    5    20
Mosi Rovers    11    6    1    16    12        4    19
Indlovu Iyanyathela    11    4    5    2    12        9    3    17
Makomo    10    3    6    1    11        8    3    15
ZPC Hwange    10    3    6    1    6        4    2    15
CIWU    11    3    6    2    8        8    0    15
*Talen Vision    10    3    5    2    15        9    6    14
Bosso 90    11    3    5    3    9      10    -1    14
Moto Moto    11    4    4    4    8        9    -1    13
Zim Leopards    11    3    4    4    9      13    -4    13
Main Line    11    3    2    6    9      12    -3    11
NRZ Leopards    11    2    4    5    6      11    -5    10
Casmyn    10    2    3    5    5      11    -6    9
Toronto    11    0    8    3    5      11    -6    8
*ZRP Bulawayo    9    1    2    6    5      14    -9    5

*Match abandoned

@ZililoR