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Ricky Zililo, [email protected]

FOR the second time within a month, ugly scenes reigned supreme at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday when Caps United fans assaulted referee Jimmy Makwanda after their side drew 1-1 against Simba Bhora.

Makwanda had to leave the pitch under heavy guard provided by police and Caps United marshals, shielding the match official from errant Makepekepe fans who had invaded the pitch and were baying for the referee’s blood.

Caps United’s fans who couldn’t stomach Simba Bhora’s late equaliser leading to a 1-1 draw were not happy with the way that Makwanda handled the game, with one of the missiles they threw hitting the head of the match official.

Makwanda had to leave the field with a bandage on his head.

The assault of Makwanda is the second incident of an assault on a match official to be recorded within a month at the National Sports Stadium.

At the beginning of May, assistant referee Edgar Rumeki suffered a deep cut on his arm following attacks by Dynamos fans who were frustrated by their team’s 0-0 draw against Herentals.

Dynamos and Caps United are likely to be sanctioned for acts of misconduct by their fans which are painting a bad image of the domestic game.

That referees have erred shouldn’t lead to their assault.

Fans must restrain themselves from violence, with the referees committee’s challenge being to publicly state what they have done to punish underperforming match officials.

There’s a general belief that the referees’ committee is complicit in poor performances by their members as the public isn’t made aware of how those who make glaring mistakes are dealt with in their official capacities.

Clubs also have a challenge in educating their fans and encouraging them to shun violent acts which hurts their brand as well as that of the league.

At times unwarranted remonstrations at referees by players incite fans to take matters into their own hands, leading to supporters ugly scenes.

Referees, as trusted officials, should also try their best to apply fair play and avoid bias in their officiating. They must know that they have the responsibility to be rational in their application of rules of the game.

Meanwhile, Makwanda’s assault couldn’t overshadow Ngezi Platinum Stars’ bounce back to winning ways which saw them overturn a first half 0-1 scoreline to beat Dynamos 2-1 at Baobab Stadium on Sunday.

The victory powered Ngezi Platinum Stars to the top of the table, enjoying a point-lead over second-placed Highlanders who have 19 points from 11 matches.

It was a remarkable victory for Ngezi Platinum Stars whose 19-match unbeaten run had been halted by Chicken Inn who burst their bubble handing them a 2-0 defeat last weekend.

Chicken Inn continued with their fine run as they jumped five places up the table to position three from eight with 18 points following their win against ZPC Kariba who they beat 3-0 at the National Sports Stadium.

FC Platinum remained on position four with 18 points after their 1-0 away win at Black Rhinos, while Bulawayo Chiefs stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches following their 1-1 draw against fourth from the bottom Cranborne Bullets.

Mid-table Hwange ended their four-match winless streak of two defeats and two draws by edging Herentals 2-1.

Yadah stopped Manica Diamonds’ five-match unbeaten run when they beat the Mutare side 1-0 at Gibbo Stadium.

— @ZililoR