Following the violent acts which characterized the aftermath of the Zambian Super League week 6 match on Saturday last week between Nchanga Rangers FC and Nkana FC in Chingola, the Football Association of Zambia has sanctioned the Kitwe side and slapped a ban on the club’s captain and goalkeeper coach.
In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, FAZ says it has “slapped bans on Nkana Football Club goalkeeper coach Mike Poto and skipper Diamond Chikwekwe for their part in the post-match chaos at Nchanga Stadium.”
Nkana players and some members of their technical bench were on Saturday caught on camera pouncing on referee, Audrick Nkole after he blew the final whistle to signal the end of the match as they accused him of prolonging the match which ended 1-1 .
The players and officials were seen protesting against the referee who they accused of bias officiating as the match went beyond the initial four minutes additional time as indicated by the fourth official.
They claimed Nkole prolonged the match to allow Rangers equalize in the 98th minute when only 4 minutes were added.
Nkana took the lead in the 67th minute through Alex Ngo’nga from a spot kick after they were awarded a penalty but just when they thought an away win was on the way, Rangers’ Ronald Chibwe scored from a Mangani Banda rebound in the 98th minute to end the match one-all-draw.
However FAZ says, “Nkana Football Club has been fined K100, 000 for their misconduct. An additional sanction on unidentified Nkana official who was part of the group that charged at referee Audrick Nkole will draw a fine of K50,000.”
The statement further reads: “The bans were in respect of the breach of Articles 49, 51 and 52 of the Disciplinary Code. Nkana Football Club has been fined K100, 000 for their misconduct.
FAZ says, Nkana FC has been found guilty by the association’s disciplinary committee “as charged in accordance with Article 52 for their general conduct after the match in accosting the Centre Match Official Audrick Nkole.”
The statement also says , FAZ is yet to receive a verdict from the ongoing disciplinary proceedings against Nchanga Rangers for failure to provide adequate security.
