Magufuli lashes at Simba, Yanga fans

 

PRESIDENT John Magufuli has poured scorn on un-sportsmanship behaviour displayed by Simba and Young Africans fans, saying he would rather go and watch street football ‘Ndondo Cup’ than attending matches involving the two teams.

Speaking to editors from various media houses at the State House in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the president expressed his disgust from what he saw last time, when the two big guns clashed at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on October 1, this year. 

 

He was deeply depressed by what happened, with chairs at the side where Simba supporters seated being removed. “I love sports but I dislike violence in football venues ... 

that is why I support the action taken by minister of sports, to ban the two teams from using the stadium,” he said. President Magufuli said that it cost the government a huge sum of money to construct the imposing venue, insisting that it must be protected and well maintained.

The Chinese built venue had cost 56 million US dollars (about 110bn/-). The Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Nape Nnauye, announced the ban on October 2, during a tour he made at the 60,000-seater stadium a day after the match, to assess the damage caused by rioting fans when the two teams clashed in the Mainland Premier League, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The damage was largely blamed on Simba supporters, who ripped out dozens of seats and hurled them onto the running track in protest at what they perceived as officiating that was biased in Yanga’s favour. Yanga fans were also on the book for damage of gates.

The destruction of 1,781 chairs and four gates has come as the stadium management considers fixing security cameras to monitor spectators, ably trace and take legal measures against individuals wrecking the infrastructure of the sports ground. During his visit, Minister Nnauye said the bad behaviour of destroying the facilities was getting chronic because only the clubs were being punished.

“From now onwards, we are going to instal cameras to identify those involved in indecency,” he said. Minister Nnauye, speaking to reporters, said President Magufuli was real angry, saddened and wondered why fans should express their anger by destroying the infrastructure of the stadium. That anger was again evident yesterday, when the president lashed out at Simba and Yanga fans for exhibiting shocking and appalling behaviour.

“It is absurd for fans to rip off seats of the venue that they would otherwise still want to use ... it is important for them to embrace the culture of discipline and protect our infrastructure,” said the president, during his two and a half an hour question and answer session with editors.

The president insisted that though he loves football and other sports, he sees nothing pleasing to attend matches where fans riots and destroy infrastructure, saying he would rather go and witness street football matches ‘Ndondo Cup’ where matches ends peacefully.

The fracas emerged after Simba fans protested against Amis Tambwe’s goal. Referee Martin Saanya’s decision to award the goal sparked a storm of protests from Simba fans, who, ripped off chairs, threw them onto the runway, compelling the police to use tear gas to disburse the culprits and calm the situation.

The protests forced the game to stop for almost five minutes and Simba eventually suffered double blows, after they were reduced to 10 players after the team’s skipper, Jonas Mkude, was given marching orders.

Police managed to restore order at the stadium and the game continued, ending in a 1-1 draw. In another development, President Magufuli also expressed his admiration of top local artiste Mrisho Mpoto, describing him as a true artist with hallmarks of a legend.

“He dresses well and in proper attires,” he said, while also lauding partner Banana Zorro for composing song titled ‘Sizonje’. Mpoto is an experienced performer and writer with an international reputation.

He is Africa’s number one Slam Poet and currently holds the title of third best in the entire world. Mrisho is a multi- award winning artist who is committed to developing the skills of young people in Africa so that they can find employment and engage in positive life choices.