NORTON – For a brand new venue in Zimbabwean football just three weeks into use, Ngoni Stadium in Norton has already become the centre of controversy and potential violence due to questionable officiating.
Officially opened in Week 8 when MWOS hosted Harare giants Dynamos, the stadium has already witnessed two heated protests from visiting teams namely Manica Diamonds and TelOne.
Recently, Manica Diamonds strongly contested a controversial penalty awarded to MWOS, which allowed the Punters to equalise during their 1-1 draw.
The Mutare-based side refused to resume play for a couple of minutes, insisting the penalty call was dubious.
Footage that was later shared on social media, arguably supported their claims.
To add on, this past Saturday, controversy struck again as MWOS faced TelOne.
The referee issued two red cards at once with one for a second yellow following a rough tackle and another for alleged misconduct.
The decision sparked outrage among Telone players and coaches, leading to another lengthy protest delay.
With only a handful of matches played at Ngoni Stadium, the venue has already developed a reputation for contentious officiating and escalating tensions making it a potential hotspot for violence if corrective measures aren’t taken swiftly.
All eyes now turn to Week 14, when the log leaders are scheduled to host their fierce rivals, Scottland, at the same venue.
The much anticipated clash is expected to be high-stakes and emotionally charged with match officials needing to exercise firm control on the day.
Tensions boiled over when these two sides met at Ngoni last season when they were fighting for the Northern Region Soccer League title and automatic promotion to the top flight league.
Reports suggest Scottland owner Scott Sakupwanya scaled the perimeter fence after the match and confronted MWOS head coach Lloyd Mutasa, accusing him of manipulating referees and using juju in the 1-1 draw.
With pride at stake and collection of maximum points on the line in Week 14, urgent steps must be taken to probably ensure order and prevent potential violence caused by debatable calls by referees.
