POLICE have ‘raided’ Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka and arrested a Red Arrows Football Club security official for allegedly assaulting FC MUZA goal keeper Monga Ndala and the Mazabuka-based team’s assistant coach, Ernest Malambo.
A week 30 Super League match involving Zambia Air Force (ZAF)-sponsored Red Arrows and the ‘Elegant Dynamites’ FC MUZA was abandoned at Nkoloma Stadium yesterday, on account of security concerns.
At the time of the abandonment – at 45 minutes – the two teams were tied to a 1 – 1 stalemate.
With four matches remaining before the league ends, FC MUZA and Red Arrows are all tied on 44 points.
However, courtesy of a superior goal difference, Arrows sit on the fifth position on the Super League table, while FC MUZA is on the sixth position.
According to a statement issued by Zambia Police Service deputy public relations officer Danny Mwale today, police are holding Red Arrows’ Kachimbe Japeni, 44, for the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
“He is alleged to have assaulted a goalkeeper and a coach for Maestro United Football Club identified as Monga Ndala aged 29 and Enerst Malambo aged 52, respectively. They are all from Mazabuka district,” Mwale stated.
“The incident occurred April 22, 2023 around 16:00 hours as the two were walking from the dressing room to the pitch at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka during the match between Red Arrows and Maestro United Football Clubs.”
He added that it is alleged that one of the security personnel for Red Arrows FC, identified as Japeni, attacked Ndala by beating and pouring an unknown substance on his face.
“The suspect is also alleged to have beaten the visiting team’s [assistant] coach,” he stated.
“The victims sustained general body pains and medical report forms were issued for them to seek medical attention. Fists are believed to have been used in the act.”
Mwale further stated that the container, with some remains of the unknown substance, was picked by police to help with investigations.
Kalemba April 23, 2023
