Karonga United storm Fisd regional finals
Karonga United have reached the Fisd Challenge Cup regional finals after the Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) ruled a case involving the team and Luwinga United in former’s favour.
The two NRFA Premier Division sides played out to a one-all draw at Karonga Community Centre Ground in regulation time last week.
But when post-match penalties were about to start, violence erupted, forcing the referee to blow the final whistle.
Some football fans, believed to be for the home team, started throwing objects towards officiating panel and the visiting club.
NRFA later condemned the violence and ordered a replay.
However, the association has changed its earlier decision and declared Karonga winners of the tie.
NRFA General Secretary, Masiya Nyasulu, said they made the decision after analysing the case critically.
He said Luwinga were wrong because they caused abandonment of the game.
“NRFA’s rules and regulation stipulates that any team that cause abandonment of a game loses that match. Luwinga did just that and we have declared them losers,” he said.
Luwinga Team Manager, Ngwirelupi Mwalughali, described the ruling as unfair.
“We are still surprised by this ruling because we never left the pitch, and all we wanted was assurance of our safety. The supporters invaded the pitch twice and when we were told to go for the penalties, some of our player had already been attacked,” he explained.
Karonga will now face Rumphi Medicals in the cup’s Northern Region finals scheduled for next Monday.
Karonga United Coach, Dave Muyombe, said his team was ready for the finals.
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