St. Gabriel Zitha FC Seeks Replay Over Suspected Match Fixing
The stakes are high, as the win would ensure their promotion to the prestigious TNM Super League.
LILONGWE, Malawi-St. Gabriel Zitha FC has petitioned the Central Region Football Association (CRFA) in response to Ngolowindo's failure to appear for their highly-anticipated MK14 million Chipiku Premier League match at the Kamuzu Barracks ground in Lilongwe, writes Alinafe Nyanda.
The team, through its general secretary Wellington Nzunga, has urged an investigation into possible match-fixing and is pushing for a rematch, citing the considerable disadvantage the no-show has caused them in the title race.
In a letter signed by Nzunga, the team expressed frustration over what they termed "pre-arranged and organized misconduct" by Ngolowindo FC, highlighting their non-appearance despite the scheduled fixture.
They officially entered the field under protest and have urged CRFA to thoroughly investigate and address the alleged misconduct.
This incident follows St. Gabriel Zitha FC being awarded three points on Sunday after their opponents from Salima, Ngolowindo FC, failed to turn up for their scheduled game.
This development has propelled Zitha to 47 points, creating a three-point gap with league leaders Kawinga.
In an upcoming crucial showdown this Sunday, Zitha faces Kawinga, where they must secure victory by more than five goals to overcome their opponent's superior goal difference of ten.
The stakes are high, as the win would ensure their promotion to the prestigious TNM Super League.
The league's last game, set for January 14 at a venue yet to be announced by CRFA, will see Kawinga battling to either win or draw against Zitha to retain their hopes of advancing to the Super League, closely contending with the title contenders, Zitha FC.