Some Be Forward Wanderers fans Sunday turned Kasungu Stadium into a war zone as they exchanged a flurry of punches just minutes before the kick-off of the Blantyre derby against their rivals Nyasa Big Bullets which ended goalless.
This happened as the club is expected to go to polls to elect new office bearers for Central Region Supporters Committee next year.
The fans, believed to belong to different camps, exchanged blows and delayed players from disembarking from the team bus.
An unidentified fan was left with a cut on his face. But the situation was later calmed.
On the pitch, Bullets and Wanderers played out to a goalless draw in a charity match meant to raise funds for bereaved families for departed souls of Make Sure Pirates two players Blessings Mhango, Douglas Mkolongo and official Chimwemwe Mkwinja.
However, the match was stopped for close to
30 minutes due to a heavy downpour as the pitch was water-logged just eight minutes into the second half.
After proper assessment of the pitch by referee Alfred Chilinda, it was agreed that the match should continue for safety reasons.
The second half was played for about 20 minutes only and there was little moment of flashes due to the playing surface.
In the first half, the two goalkeepers produced a sublime performance to keep the scores level.
Bullets goalkeeper Ellias Missi made a good save to deny Franscesco Madinga Junior a goal from a header before Wanderers goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa tipped over the bar a Stanley Billiat thunderous shot.
Both Bullets and Wanderers made changes to the first eleven. But it was Wanderers who featured a bulk of experienced players whereas Bullets opted for most of the players from their reserve side.
The Nomads featured the likes of Zicco Mkanda, Isaac Kaliati, Peter Cholopi, Madinga, Felix Zulu and Stanley Sanudi but Bullets’ only experienced players were Miracle Gabeya, Henry Kabichi and Bashir Maunde.
After the game, Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira said the players looked exhausted.
“We had no choice but to use most of the experienced players but rain affected the rhythm of the game,” Mpinganjira said.
On his part, Bullets assistant coach Peter Mponda praised his youthful squad.
“I am very happy with the way the players performed. The playing surface was difficult for them but the players did a good job,” Mponda said.
Line ups
Bullets: Elias Missi, Miracle Gabeya, Bashir Maunde, Blessings Mpokera, Sydney Chabulika, Henry Kabichi, Ben Manyozo, Wilton Kaunda, Frank Mlimanjira, Stanley Billiati, Lanjesi Nkhoma.
Wanderers: Richard Chipuwa, Bongani Kaipa, Peter Cholopi, Francis Mlimbika, Stanley Sanudi, Mike Kaziputa, Francisco Madinga, Isaac Kaliati, Felix Zulu, Alfred Manyozo, Zicco Mkanda.
