12 Nov 2014

Mochudi Centre Chiefs communications manager, Clifford Mogomotsi says although they had fancied that their aborted Mascom Top 8 game against Nico United could start from scratch, they do not have a leg to stand on since the rules and regulations are clear on the issue.

He brushed aside allegations that they were refusing to play the game, saying the circumstances as revealed by the referee in his match report, that the match was abandoned due to power failure, would warrant the game to be played the remaining 16 minutes.

Mogomotsi said in their league game against Gaborone United in 2012 in Molepolole, the game was stopped by a freaky storm with only 20 minutes remaining whilst GU was leading 1-0.

According to Mogomotsi, GU cried foul, but there was nothing they could do because the Botswana Football Association play rules and regulations clearly stated that in the event a game was stopped by rain had to be replayed from the start.

He said immediately after that game, the BFA released circular 22 of 2012 that was amending article 8.3 of the play rules and regulations.

“As it is right now, we cannot say we can’t play the remaining minutes, because clearly we do not have a leg to hold on, but again what puzzles me in the referee’s report is that both the rain and power failure were at play, so I’m just wondering as to why the referee only cited power failure,” he said.

However, he said sanity must prevail and football must be the winner. Meanwhile, a press release from Botswana Premier League stated that the match referee; Joshua Bondo furnished them with his match report, which stated that he abandoned the match on the 74^th minute was due to power failure.

It said the Macom Top 8 Local Organising Committee concluded that the remaining 16 minutes shall be resumed on Wednesday, November 26 in Molepolole at 4pm. Nico United will receive their standard travel subsidy for playing a match more than 200 kilometres from their home base.

It said for avoidance of doubt, the 22 players who were on the pitch at the time of the abandonment will feature for the resumed match, therefore the same match sheet for both Chiefs and Nico that were recorded for the abandoned match shall apply.

The same match officials, who officiated at the match, will be used at the resumed match and entry will be free. ENDS