Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba has accused referees of helping Napsa Stars to beat his team 2-0 in Tuesday’s Super League match played at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Lusaka referee Francis Sichali handled the match with Emmanuel Mpomwa and Emmanuel Matongo as assistants while Kelvin Likobama was the fourth official and Abasi Phiri from Chilanga served as match commissioner of the day.
Goals from Dickson Chapa and Austine Banda propelled Napsa to the win that lifted them out of the bottom four as they seek survival.
Zanaco, who have remained with three matches in the season, are placed seventh on the table with 46 points from 31 matches.
In a post-match interview, Numba described referee Sichali and company’s officiating as poor.
Zanaco had two of their players sent off, a penalty appeal turned down before conceding a penalty themselves.
“Firstly, this is a very disappointing result on our part, but this has happened because of poor officiating from our referees. Referees helped Napsa to grab the three points,” he said.
This was Zanaco’s eleventh loss of the season.
“This is the game that we controlled in the first half but unfortunately the referee decided to give them a penalty which they didn’t deserve. The awarding of a penalty to Napsa dampened the morale of the team. Coming to the second half, we lost concentration and ended up conceding another goal. And also, we received another yellow card which spoiled our game plan,” Numba added.
Zanaco’s next match will be against Nchanga Rangers at home in Lusaka.
“We have to put this game behind us and look forward to the upcoming game against Nchanga Rangers. We need to get down to work. The game against Nchanga is very important,” he said.
Napsa coach Tenant Chilumba said his team was playing under pressure.
“It was a difficult game but I’m still not happy with the performance of the team. Of course, the boys are playing under pressure, so in the last two games we must contain pressure,” Chilumba said.
“After getting maximum points at home, we must focus on the last two games. Every game is important but today we really wanted to win,” he said.
Napsa are number fourteen (14) on the table with 32 points from 32 matches played.
Corrupt referee’s? This is another Morocco. Some people win games outside the field where they meet with corrupt officials. ZANACO, You must appeal to Fifa