The ManicaPost
Ray Bande in Mutare
ZIFA Eastern Region Division One title chasing Yadah FC encounter with Prime Rangers was abandoned in the 85th minute on Sunday barely a month after another match involving the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries bankrolled outfit was abandoned as opponents take turns to complain about alleged preferential treatment Yadah gets from match officials.
Yadah FC, a surprise inclusion in the Eastern Region Division One League at the start of the season, are locked in a riveting battle for league championship with Mutare outfit Buffaloes.
Buffaloes are currently leading the pack with a just a point ahead of Yadah FC but the league now awaits a boardroom decision on the abandoned match involving Yadah and Prime Rangers, a decision that could have a bearing on the latest log standings.
Interestingly, this becomes the second time inside a month that the result of a match involving Yadah has to be made off the field of play after their match against Surrey was also abandoned and they were awarded three points under the pretext the their opponents, Surrey, caused the abandonment of the match.
Zifa Eastern Region secretary Simba Wisdom, who is based in Mutare, said they are still waiting for reports from the match officials for them to make a decision on the fate of the abandoned encounter.
“I heard about the abandonment of the match involving Yadah FC and Prime Rangers but I have no comment to make at the moment until I get the reports from the referees and when we have sat as a committee to look into the issue,” said Wisdom.
Chiredzi based Zimbabwe Referees Committee coordinator for the Zifa Eastern Region Cainos Mavhuna also said he is awaiting reports from match officials.
“I was not there when the incident occurred and I am actually waiting for the official reports from the match officials that were involved.
This is surely not good for our football and it is high tiome that the powers that be crack the whip to avoid such humiliating incidences in our region,” said Mavhuna.
Mavhuna once confirmed in July this year that there have been complaints by opponents in matches involving Yadah.
“Yes, I agree. There have been complaints in matches that involved Yadah. I have heard complaints emanating from their matches against Mutoko and Masvingo City.
“The unfortunate thing is that we have not received anything in writing. Most of these complaints are being said verbally and some on social media. We really cannot institute investigation on complaints made over social media or verbally,” said the Chiredzi based referee’s coordinator back in July.
Yadah FC have had match officials that handled their matches being assaulted after accusations of influencing results in their favour.
Match officials who handled the match pitting Yadah and Mutoko early in the season were manhandled after they allegedly helped the PHD bankrolled team collect maximum points, thanks to a highly questionable 2-1 triumph.
According Wisdom, both teams were fined after that melee.
At some point in the season, Yadah were at the centre of a biased match officiating storm after match officials that handled their match against Masvingo City Dortmund were manhandled for allegedly ensuring Yadah wins by a solitary goal.
The fight for the league title in Division One league, especially in the Eastern Region, has always been dirty with allegations of clubs greasing referee’s palms to get good results.
