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Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
CHIEF Mapanzure  has called for peace among the Shabanie Mine and FC Platinum fans ahead of the eighth edition of the Zvishavane derby this Sunday.He also blasted biased referees.

“As a traditional leader in Zvishavane I am appealing to the fans in the mining town to accept the outcome of the match on Sunday and not to engage in violence.

“I am also urging the referees to practise fair play and not to spoil a good afternoon for the fans. I am urging the referees’ association to appoint  their best officials to handle the derby and I hope our referees will follow the footsteps of Felix (Tangawarima) who has been a beacon for Zimbabwe’s football,” said the chief.

“An incident happened in 2011 and we as chiefs of Zvishavane, the police and the two clubs we held a meeting during that year to ensure that sanity prevailed in the town. The referees’ association must play their part as our desire is for the fans of the two clubs to live in peace and harmony,” he said.

Shabanie Mine fans felt hard done two weeks ago by Kwekwe-based referee Munyaradzi Majoni whom they claim verbally abused them and they still argue a goal by Ashley Mukwena should have stood.

An unknown Facebook character Shabanie Dot Coms has been urging the asbestos miners’ fans to bring knobkerries and attack FC Platinum fans on the day of the derby. It is this move that saw the tradional leader coming out in the open to condemn violence.

“Players must display their skills during derbies. I was saddened by Murape (Murape) issue when he claimed to have been abused by the referee. The match officials must enforce the rules of the game and its sad to note that many clubs are complaining about poor officiating.”

“Shabanie Mine and FC Platinum fans stay in Zvishavane. Referees come to officiate and go back to their respective places but we remain in Zvishavane. Football is not war but just a sport which should unify us,” said Chief Mapanzure.

Players and coaches have shown a glaringly poor appreciation of the rules of the game and some of their conduct towards referees has incited violence.