B-Metro Reporter FC Platinum 1 – 1 Dynamos (Match Abandoned) The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash between FC Platinum and Dynamos ended in chaos as the Harare giants stormed off the pitch in protest after a late penalty was awarded to the hosts, forcing the match to be abandoned. Now both coaches have broken their silence, and the blame game is in full swing. Dynamos coach Saul Chaminuka unleashed a fiery tirade accusing match officials of bias and cheating after the controversial decision. But FC Platinum’s Norman Mapeza fired back, saying walking off the pitch is never the solution. “This is not how football is supposed to be played or resolved,” said Mapeza. “You don’t walk away because you don’t agree with a call. These things happen everywhere in the world. We’ve been on the receiving end too. You just have to carry on and raise your concerns through the proper channels.” The match was tied 1-1 when the referee pointed to the spot, ruling that Dynamos defender Tinotenda Jalai had fouled an FC Platinum striker in the box. Chaminuka insists Jalai was the one fouled and says the incident, combined with a violent foul committed by a Platinum player after the whistle, was the final straw. “He was pulled down and then kicked again after the referee had already blown the whistle,” said Chaminuka. “That’s violent conduct. It’s a red card, not a yellow. We are tired of being robbed week in and week out. Referees are just killing our game.” Mapeza, however, questioned the decision to walk off. “We’ve all had questionable calls. We’ve been affected many times. But we don’t abandon matches. That’s not football. That’s not what we teach players. What message are we sending to fans, to the young ones?” he said. Chaminuka disagrees. He said it was high time someone took a stand. “If they had taken that penalty, it was going to be another stolen game. At least now the match commissioner has something to write about. Let’s see if the system will protect the game or continue to protect the cheats.” This is not just a one-match meltdown for Dynamos. After 17 games, DeMbare are struggling in unfamiliar relegation territory after week 17. They sit 16th on the 18-team log with just 14 points. Their record reads: 2 wins, 8 draws, 6 losses. They have scored only 6 goals, one of the worst returns in the league, and conceded 11. They are now 21 points behind league leaders Simba Bhora who are on 35 points. The stats are damning. And Chaminuka’s fury, though emotional, may be rooted in the pressure of underperformance and rising frustration from the DeMbare faithful. While Mapeza maintained his usual calm demeanour, urging maturity in dealing with poor officiating, Chaminuka had no time for diplomacy. “Our game will never go up as long as we have referees who cheat. Coaches are being fired over these decisions while referees go home untouched. This is just wrong.” The Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee now has a match report and a full-blown crisis on its hands. Dynamos face possible sanctions; including a fine, a replay, or even forfeiting the match. As it stands, the incident has become a symbol of growing discontent with officiating standards and the pressures boiling under Zimbabwean football’s fragile surface. Synonyms for “Chaminuka”