Rains frustrate Miscellaneous title hopes

Shingirai Madondo | Tuesday February 17, 2015 16:10

 

It was certainly a big blow to Miscellaneous FC’s promotion confirmation agenda, as the former premiership side now needs only 12 points out of the eight games left to be confirmed the champions of this yearís Debswana FDN League.

The Serowe-based outfit were two goals up after the first 45 minutes when the referee and other match officials called off the game soon after the break.

The match officials argued that the playing field was waterlogged after the rains, which pounded Francistown and the surrounding areas on Saturday afternoon.

By the time the game started, pregnant clouds hovered over the venue and 15 minutes into the match, a southwesterly wind started blowing, a development that gave the visiting side some wind advantage.

 After close to 25 minutes of play, the winds stopped and rain started pouring. For the next 20 good minutes, there was no let up, hence the usually dusty pitch at Gerald Estates, became waterlogged.

Although  it rained cats and dogs up to the last 10 minutes of play in the first half, the referee decided to wait for recess to call off the game.

In the mean time, Miscellaneous seemed to take full advantage, scoring two quick goals.

Though it was proving difficult for the home side to play the ball in those waterlogged conditions, experienced Miscellaneous had no problem poking the ball around.

Chakova Moenga lobbed a free kick to beat the TASC goalkeeper hands down. Five minutes later, Kamogelo Molemogi slotted the ball into the back of the net following a goalmouth melee to make it 2-nil for the visitors.

After the break, match officials called the two captains and explained that the game could not continue because the pitch was waterlogged.

 However, the Miscellaneousí family felt they were robbed of possible maximum points. Their supporters, players and management argued that the pitch was not all that bad for a game to continue.

“This is robbery. We were two goals up and guaranteed maximum points. Francistown referees have got a problem of supporting while officiating,” charged Russia Chaba, the Miscellaneous’ head coach.

Chaba said the pitch was no longer that waterlogged after the half time break, and the game should have been allowed to continue. He said the abandonment is a demoraliser as the club has started its countdown to the championship title.  

The Debswana FDN League Secretary General, Rapula Gaotlhobogwe, confirmed that the game between Miscellaneous and Tasc was abandoned because of ìthe incessant rains, which poured on Saturday afternoon.î

He said the game would be rescheduled again at the same venue in due course.

Tasc officials refused to comment on the development and referred Mmegi Sport to referees. Referees said they are not allowed to talk to the media.