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AS the title chase for the 2013 Super Division heads to the wire, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has warned of stern action should there be evidence of match-fixing in Wednesday’s high-scoring matches involving Zesco United and Power Dynamos.
Second-placed Zesco, contenders for the MTN Super Division title, notched up seven goals in the 7-1 win to build an eight-goal advantage over fellow title-contenders and leaders Nkana while Power won 5-0 against Konkola Mine Police.
Zesco, 2010 champions, have scored 47 goals and conceded 19 while Nkana, who last won the title in 2001, have netted 39 and allowed 18.
Nkana have 54 points, four better than Zesco and the teams lockhorns tomorrow at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Association vice-president Boniface Mwamelo said in Lusaka yesterday that FAZ has a zero tolerance stance on match-fixing and will not hesitate to institute investigations should evidence come forth.
“Our position on match fixing to pre-determine the outcome of matches is very clear. If there is evidence of these matters to have occurred, we will take strict action because we have a zero tolerance policy,” Mwamelo said.
“If there is anyone with evidence, they can come forward and we will institute investigations.”
But Mwamelo, who is also head of the Premier League, said there has been no complaint to suggest that the two matches had pre-determined outcomes.
What was anticipated to be a spirited derby at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola turned out to be a one-way traffic, resulting in Zesco pumping seven goals against Lime, who eventually kissed goodbye to the Super Division.
But Zesco general secretary Justin Mumba said FAZ are free to investigate.
“There was nothing like match-fixing. Those guys (Lime) had a lifeline and at some point it was 2-1. They just collapsed in the second half. Before yesterday’s (Wednesday) match, we were creating scoring opportunities but we were not scoring. We worked on our scoring ability. People are free to do their own investigations and we are not scared,” Mumba said.
In Kitwe, Police failed to offer any retaliation to the Power onslaught, going down 5-0.
And Power secretary Aaron Ng’ambi said Power were too good for Police.
“There was no such thing. The guys just won the game. After the penalty, the other guys just got disoriented and were given red cards. There was no such thing as collusion,” Ng’ambi said.
Police had Jimmy Sondashi and skipper Chipulu Chileya sent off on 81 minutes by referee Francis Lombe, forcing a brief stoppage of the game as coach Bruce Mwape pleaded with his players to resume play after they had threatened to walk off the pitch.
