Scottland’s pursuit of the Northern Region Soccer League (NRSL) title has been disrupted following a dramatic and violent incident that forced the abrupt suspension of their crucial match against Karoi United on Sunday. The clash, held at Chikangwe Stadium, was pivotal for Scottland’s aspirations to climb to the top of the league standings. However, the match descended into chaos after a contentious decision by referee Mathew Dingo. In the 80th minute, Dingo issued a red card to Karoi United’s Edmore Mubatapasango, which ignited a violent reaction from some spectators who then assaulted the referee.
Unable to continue amidst the turmoil, Referee Dingo called off the game. The NRSL board will now deliberate on the outcome, with historical precedents suggesting that Scottland may be awarded a 3-0 victory due to the match’s premature end.
The timing of this interruption is particularly disappointing for Scottland, who were keen to close the gap on league leaders MWOS. The title race has become increasingly competitive, with MWOS securing a narrow 2-1 victory over Harare City at Mkushi Academy grounds. Additionally, Black Rhinos’ 2-0 defeat to Chinhoyi Stars has intensified the contest for the top spot, further underscoring the importance of each fixture.
The incident at Chikangwe Stadium is part of a troubling trend of violence in NRSL games. There is growing concern among fans and officials about the rising frequency of attacks on referees, especially in high-stakes matches. Just the previous week, a similar situation arose when Shamva Mine supporters stormed the pitch and assaulted referee Never Dombo during a game against MWOS. As the NRSL board assesses the situation and its implications, the league’s focus will be on maintaining the integrity of the competition and addressing these violent episodes to safeguard the reputation of the sport.
In other news – Warrant issued for arrest of late former President Mugabe’s son
Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of the late former President Robert Mugabe, has been issued an arrest warrant following his failure to appear in court. Chatunga was scheduled for a routine remand appearance at the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday in connection with charges stemming from his arrest two weeks prior.
Chatunga, who faces charges of disorderly conduct and possession of prohibited knives, failed to attend the court session as required. His legal troubles began after an incident on August 31, when his vehicle, driven by a South African national, was stopped at the Bubi Security Roadblock in Beitbridge. Read More
