Zimpapers Logo

Musa Mandaza

Sports Reporter
BLACK Boots FC and Old Nic Mine FC have been summoned to appear before the Zifa Southern Region disciplinary committee this evening for their abandoned Division One Soccer League match.
The encounter was called off after the referee, Nkosilathi Moyo allowed a Black Boots goal from “a clear offside” – according to Old Nic Mine – by Stanley Ngala to stand, giving Black Boots a 2-1 lead, a fortnight ago.

James Phiri had scored Black Boots’ opening goal with Old Nic Mine getting theirs from Prince Moyo.

Musa Mandaza, the Zifa Southern Region chairman confirmed this evening’s hearing and said they expect a verdict to be out by Friday.

The Zifa Southern Region disciplinary committee is made up of three lawyers – Godfrey Sangweni (chairman), Sheppard Chamunorwa and Zibusiso Ncube as well as former Zifa Southern Region secretary-general Stanley Ntenezi.

“The hearing is on tomorrow evening and both clubs have been summoned to appear before our disciplinary committee which should come up with a verdict before the end of the week to allow the title and relegation races to continue. The match commissioner of the match day which was abandoned is expected to attend the hearing also,” Mandaza said yesterday.

Black Boots are among the five clubs – Technosphere, Tsholotsho, Plumtree Chiefs and Ntabazinduna – who are fighting for the sole Premiership ticket while Old Nic Mine are swimming in the murky relegation waters.

Pending determination of the abandoned match verdict, Black Boots surrendered the top spot, sliding down two places to position three tied on 42 points with Hwange’s Technosphere and Tsholotsho FC.

With precedence having been set with regards to verdicts of abandoned matches and with the referee’s decision being final, Black Boots are likely to be given maximum points on a 3-0 score line or the disciplinary committee might uphold the 2-1 result.

Table
P W D L F A GD Pts
Technosphere 21 12 6 3 35 10 25 42
Tsholotsho FC 21 11 9 1 29 9 20 42
*Black Boots 21 12 6 3 32 14 17 42
Plumtree Chiefs 21 11 7 3 33 14 19 40
Ntabazinduna 21 11 7 3 26 15 11 40
ZPC Hwange 22 10 6 6 20 13 7 36
Hwange Juniors 21 10 2 9 27 26 1 32
Trumus 21 6 11 4 18 15 3 29
Mpumalanga 21 6 3 12 17 36 -19 21
New West 21 5 5 11 22 26 -4 20
Elephants FC 21 4 7 10 13 20 -7 19
Quelaton 21 3 6 12 16 31 -15 15
*Old Nic Mine 20 3 4 13 10 34 -24 13
Portland Cement 21 1 5 15 1 35 -34 8
*Game abandoned on the 89th minute with Black Boots leading Old Nic Mine 2-1