Kadoma versus Rimuka debut derby doomed

By Lovemore Chazingwa at Rimuka Stadium

What appeared the most exciting Kadoma football derby of the season so far between perennial campaigners Kadoma City and newcomer moneybags, Rimuka Market was hard done by an officiating boob which turned on default settings.

Kadoma City a.k.a Yemunyanza was leading by a goal to nil courtesy of a 15th minute Brendon Taero sure strike.
Justice ‘Ceejah Matsotsi’ Chimedza provided Taero from the right flank.

Matsotsi displayed some fancy footwork leaving his marker clutching brown grass.

City declared their intention as early as the second minute when Munashe Chikazhe hit the cross bar.
Rimuka Market a.k.a Zvaendwa was forced to substitute Cassim Stambuli introducing Amos Sajeni, 22 minutes into the match.

As pressure mounted on Zvaendwa, calls for a penalty by City players were justifiably turned down by centre referee Chris Ndoro.
Former City player and Rimuka Market skipper, Tatenda Chamunorwa was shown a yellow card for crude play in the 37th minute, signalling simmering tension. Chikazhe came back to cause more anxious moments for Rimuka Market Football Club (RMFC) at the stroke of half-time when he hit the cross bar.

Tapiwa Mutiwanyuka followed up asking Market goalie, Altson Baye to show what he is made of. The agile goal-minder replied by exhibiting a fine airborne acrobatic save, much to the delight of Zvaendwa fans and neutrals.

At halftime, RMFC made a double substitution introducing Peter Mkuzunga and Tendai Mwanza.
That move seemed to add spark to their attack as they created a couple of guilt-edged chances only for lack of a sharp gunslinger upfront.

A 55 minute double substitution piled more pressure on City, keeping them on the back foot.
RMFC Lazarus Mafunga was unlucky when his effort also hit the cross bar. Compatriot Tendai Mwanza failed to reduce the deficit hitting both upright posts in quick succession.

Mwanza’s best chance came when he had Seke to beat in the 16 yard box but, chose to sink the hearts of RMFC legion.

RMFC were on fire.
RMFC gods overcame KCFC marine spirits and answered the former football gods when, in the 67th minute, a long ball from the centre of the park found Tafadzwa Sithole who tussled with Panashe Seke and won the ball leaving the goalie sprawling on the ground. He made light work of a rushing defender to coolly slot home into an empty net.

The goal sent wild, frenzied and deafening celebrations in the stadium.That was the beginning of the end.

Far side linesman Tinashe Musarurwa, attempted to, but hesitated flagging for offside at that instance.
With the linesman flag kept down, centre referee reasonably pointed to the centre spot for play to resume, a sign of goal confirmation.

However, City players outrageously mobbed Musarurwa, disputing the decision. At that point, Musarurwa shocked all and sundry, this time, raising his flag for offside.

It was Rimuka Market players’ turn to dispute, venting their anger at Ndoro.

The mood was so tense in the stadium, overwhelming the officials.
With 23 minutes to play, the derby breathed its last for last Sunday.

Ndoro tried in vain to resume the match after a 34 minute stoppage but, Zvaendwa could have none of it. They regrouped at their bench in refrain.

The centre ref stood by the decision to disallow that Rimuka Market equalizer.
ZRP details had a torrid time quelling the pandemonium that ensued.

Sought for a comment from his place in the VIP section, veteran football figure, Moses Makarichi said, ”When a position is taken by the officials before the match resumes, that position should stand.”

From Makarichi’s view, Zvaendwa’s goal should have been rescinded and the match resumed at that point with Yemunyanza leading by a goal to nil. The damage had already been done.

Musarurwa’s double sided confusion triggered all the chaos.
It was unruly all over with the pitch invaded.
With no further action, the match was abandoned leaving a yawning 23 minute play balance.

Some equated the scenario to the Kadoma City versus CUMA match that saw the same fate dampen that derby day last year.

RMFC head coach, Luckson Soko blamed poor officiating for the abandoned match.
”Officiating failed to control the match. In such matches they must avail more experienced officials. This scenario can result in injury or fatality.”

KCFC youthful tactician Phibion Muimbu said ”I will comment a little later,” before slidding into his dressing room where players were chanting defiant war-cry songs.

A top KCFC official could only say ”What type of officiating is this Labe? We want to play football and promote talent. This is moving backward”.

RMFC chairman Innocent Banda could not stomach the thought.

”The ref’s decision is final. Let us play football. We must not have teams that feel they are indomitable. We will take up our matter with the authorities. This is becoming a kind of habit,” said an irate Banda in the heat of the mayhem.

The ref did not blow his whistle to signal end of action for the day.

Efforts to draw his comment proved fruitless.

Prominent resident, servant and administrator, Gift Masaiti summed it all, ”We all family, sport must unite not divide us”.