ZVISHAVANE – The ZIFA Central Region Soccer League match between Shabanie Mine and Gwanda Pirates was abandoned in the 68th minute following violent crowd disturbances, with one fan reportedly injured after being stabbed near the heart.
Details surrounding the chaos at Maglas Stadium remain unclear, with both teams deflecting blame for the incident.
In a statement seen by Nehanda Radio, Gwanda Pirates attributed the violence to poor officiating, citing a controversial decision by the referee.
According to the club, the referee initially awarded Shabanie Mine a penalty before reversing the decision to a freekick, a move that angered the home supporters and allegedly sparked the mayhem.
Shabanie Mine, however, pointed fingers at Gwanda Pirates player Newman Sianchali, accusing him of elbowing their player Edward Tapfuma.
The Chinda Boys claim that when teammate Trevor Moyo tried to intervene to calm the situation, violence erupted.
According to Shabanie Mine, Gwanda Pirates supporters began throwing stones onto the pitch and even poured beer on the match commissioner.
The club further alleges that a Gwanda Pirates supporter fired two gunshots into the air and that two Shabanie Mine fans were stabbed.
The country’s football mother body, ZIFA, has since condemned the incident and confirmed investigations are underway.
In a statement, ZIFA said: “The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) expresses its deepest regret and condemnation of the violent attack that occurred during the ZIFA Central Region Division One match between Shabanie Mine FC and Gwanda Pirates, resulting in the abandonment of the game and serious injuries to two individuals.
We are deeply saddened by this incident. Our heartfelt thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.
“Football must be a unifying force – never a source of harm, fear, or division. What transpired is deeply troubling and completely unacceptable.
“It represents a failure in our collective duty to provide a safe environment for players, officials, and fans.
“ZIFA takes this matter with the utmost seriousness and has already instituted a full and independent investigation to determine the circumstances leading to this attack. In parallel, we are initiating the following immediate corrective measures:
“A comprehensive review and overhaul of our match-day security protocols, including the deployment, training, and coordination of stewards and security personnel.
“Tightened access control and screening procedures at all sanctioned matches to prevent the entry of weapons or other dangerous items.
“Enforced crowd control measures, including the separation of rival supporters at fixtures deemed high-risk.
“ZIFA will be working in close coordination with the ZIFA Central Region leadership, law enforcement, club management, and community stakeholders to restore trust and ensure accountability.
“Disciplinary measures will be taken against any individuals or entities found to have contributed to or failed to prevent this regrettable incident. Violence has absolutely no place in our game.
“ZIFA remains firmly committed to protecting the integrity of football in Zimbabwe and ensuring that it is a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for all,” reads the ZIFA statement.
