In a dramatic turn of events at Rufaro Stadium, the highly anticipated Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash between Scottland FC and Chicken Inn was abandoned in the dying moments due to on-field chaos and crowd disturbances.
The match had been a tightly contested affair, with both sides struggling to find the back of the net. As the game approached its conclusion, a pivotal moment occurred when a Scottland attack led to a shot by substitute Walter Musona being blocked by Chicken Inn’s Dominic Jaricha’s arm inside the penalty area. Referee Quedsani Dirwai promptly awarded a penalty to Scottland, a decision that sparked immediate outrage from the Chicken Inn players and officials.
The situation escalated rapidly, with Chicken Inn players confronting the referee, leading to a pitch invasion by their bench. Despite police intervention, the unrest continued as Chicken Inn supporters began throwing missiles onto the field, further delaying proceedings. Goalkeeper Donovan Bernard received a booking, and George Majika was shown a red card, although he refused to leave the pitch. The persistent disruptions and refusal of players to comply left the referee with no choice but to abandon the match.
Prior to the incident, the match had been evenly balanced, with both teams creating opportunities but failing to capitalise. Scottland’s late substitutions had injected energy into their attack, putting Chicken Inn under pressure.
ZIFA has yet to issue an official statement regarding the outcome of the match. The incident raises concerns about player conduct and crowd control, highlighting the need for stringent measures to ensure the safety and integrity of the game.
