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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter

THE decision to overturn Peter Muduhwa’s first-half red card during the Chibuku Super Cup quarterfinal clash between Highlanders and Bulawayo Chiefs at Barbourfields Stadium could claim the scalp of either referee of the day Allan Bhasvi or his assistant Mncedisi Maphosa.

Barbourfields Stadium

Bhasvi made the right call to send Muduhwa for an early shower in the 20th minute after the Highlanders defender grabbed Amakhosi Amahle striker Obriel Chirinda in the box, before reversing the decision on the advice of Maphosa.

Chronicle Sport is reliably informed that Maphosa advised Bhasvi through the walkie-talkie that he had erred by flashing a second yellow card to Muduhwa, insisting that the player who was guilty of committing a foul on Chirinda was Godfrey Makaruse.

Bosso players overheard Maphosa passing on the message to Bhasvi, swarmed the referee, in protest, who was in constant communication with his assistants before rescinding his earlier decision to book Muduhwa and cautioned Makaruse instead.

The whole episode lasted five minutes before play resumed, with Chirinda dusting himself up to take the penalty which was saved by Ariel Sibanda who dived to his right to punch the ball into play. Elvis Moyo missed the rebound.

Bosso went on to lose the encounter 1-0 courtesy of a second-half Malvin Mkolo header.

Both Chiefs and Highlanders ended with 10 players after Chirinda and Muduhwa were shown second yellow cards towards the end of the match.

Responding to an inquiry from Chronicle Sport, referees’ committee vice-chairman Ruzive Ruzive whose desk has been under spotlight due to underperforming match officials said they will review the referees and match commissioner’s reports before taking appropriate action.

“I’m not in a position to share what’s contained in the match reports, but I can confirm your assertions on mistaken identity being central to that decision (to reverse Muduhwa’s red card). What I can say is that a referee can change his decision on advice from his two assistants and the fourth official. The match commissioner can’t influence a referee’s decision.

“Secondly, in the case of the said player (Muduhwa) returning to the field while he was already in the dressing room, as long as the play hadn’t resumed the referee was right. But the key thing is on the events leading to the penalty.

Peter Muduhwa

“As usual, we will look at the reports and analyse the video before taking appropriate action,” said Ruzive. — @ZililoR