15 Oct THE MAZABUKA COMEDY SHOW
After a long week in Southern province, Forest Rangers were finally ready for a repeat of the ABSA Cup final, instead they got ‘a comedy show’ as described by interim head coach, Kennedy Kashobondo .
The date was set, and the week six rescheduled fixture against FC MUZA was to be played during the international break on October 14 at Nakambala Stadium, with kick off set at 15:00 hours.
Seven minutes into the match, the home team took the lead from a floating ball headed in by Bienvenu Mbono Ekofo.
The tall striker slotted the ball in from a perfectly taken freekick which went over the entire Forest defence. But that did not stop the visitors from giving everything they had.
At 40 minutes, Malembe had a corner and Player of the month Chitoshi Chinga was in the box to provide the assist for Quadri Kola, leaving Muza defense stunned, levelling matter at Nakambala Stadium.
Five minutes later, Lazarous Chishimba with a dummy got past Monga Ndala to make it two for visitors at half time.
In the second half of the game, the Mathews Ndhlovu coached side tried to get an early goal.
It was a Andrew Phiri shot in 48 minutes that was ruled offside. Ten minutes later, a controversial penalty was awarded, after a shot from Phiri was blocked by Chitoshi Chinga and then cleared out with both feet by Gerald Simusokwe.
The center referee Joseph Kalunga did not hesitate to point at the penalty spot, leaving the entire Forest bench in shock.
The players on the pitch tried to protest the decision but it stood. Andrew Phiri took the penalty and the game was levelled at 2-2.
But that was not all from Kalunga, because on the 72nd minutes mark, Clifford Mukambi handled the ball in the box and the he looked the other way, allowing play to go on. A few moments later, Muza got a freekick outside the box, but the shot went wide.
Eric Chomba with his last kick of the game, took a shot outside the box but Monga Ndala was alert and easily cleared it out .
With 82 minutes played, Forest made their first and only Substitute, Obed Masumbuko who replaced Eric Chomba. Five minutes into the game, he scored the 3rd goal for Malembe that was ruled offside.
The game ended 2-2 with Forest Rangers players, bench and fans infuriated.
Interim Head Coach, Kennedy Kashobondo described the officiating as a comedy show.
“I think this is a very disappointing result, and this goes back to the comedy of some referees in Zambia. If you look at the goal they have denied us, that’s a clear goal but because someone wanted to support a certain team they have denied us a sweet victory from Southern province and it’s sad because the boys put up an excellent performance ,”
“Even the penalty he awarded to FC MUZA, it’s something you can’t believe up to now, this is something we can’t accept. Something must be done to improve football in Zambia, otherwise we will be going downwards instead of upwards.” Said Coach Kashobondo.
Forest Rangers settled for a point after their one week camp in Southern province.
Malembe’s focus now shifts to the newly promoted side Trident FC at home on the 21st October, 2023.
𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 6 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗫𝗜 :
Allan Chibwe, Leonard Makonga, Dieugo Apanane , Gerald Simusokwe, Chitoshi Chinga , Jackson Chirwa , Robson Phiri , Quadri Kola , Moro Amenu, Eric Chomba (Obed Masumboko 82′) , Lazarous Chishimba.
No Comments