Madamara appeals against Bafa decision

MADAMARA have launched an appeal against the Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (Bafa) executive’s decision to award their abandoned Townshend and Butcher Cup semi-final clash to Laduma following chaotic scenes last week.

Madamara claim the decision was made without submissions from both teams and they only got to know about it verbally at a general meeting of clubs on September 21.

Madamara secretary Didymus Maramwidze stated that his club was not amused by the decision, hence their appeal. “The Bafa executive informed us verbally at a general meeting of the clubs, which shows the lack of professionalism within the executive as they did not put their decision in black and white. During last week’s confusion, two executive members talked to the referee and the referee signalled for the match to end prematurely despite the fact that players from both teams were still on the pitch. So we are not sure what they told the officials,” said Maramwidze. “It is either the Bafa executive is covering up for the gross incompetence by the referee or there is confusion within the executive. Up to now we have not received proper communication from Bafa for the reasons we were denied a chance to play in the final or to have a re-play against Laduma.”

Bafa chairman Chris Mtungwazi said: “I want to confirm that Bafa received the appeal from Madamara FC against the decision taken by the executive.

“We are going to sit as the executive to deliberate on the issue this week and the outcome will be known after the meeting.”

The match was called off in the 76th minute when the referee red-carded Laduma’s Dominick Nyika for dissent after he had been brought down inside the Madamara box.

The referee had first awarded Nyika a free kick on the edge of the box before showing him a straight red after a heated exchange. Laduma players protested and the referee changed his mind and pointed to the spot triggering chaotic scenes as both sets of players started pushing and shoving each other.

The referee then signalled the abandonment of the match as he had totally lost control of proceedings. — @ khumzallen