• SPORTS Minister, Chishimba Kambwili (right) accompanied by Sports Council of Zambia chairperson, Mwamba Kalenga protests to referee Tessema Weyesa (left) over the way he officiated Nkana’s CAF Confederation Cup match against Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia in Kitwe yesterday. Nkana won 4-3. Picture by WILSON CHABINGA
By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA –
at Nkana Stadium
Nkana 4 Etoile 3
REFEREE Tessema Weyesa yesterday felt the full force of Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili at the end of Nkana home win over Tunisian side, Etoile du Sahel.
Kambwili stormed the pitch at the end of the CAF Confederation Cup Group B tie at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe to protest over Weyesa’s officiating in a match he handed Etoile two penalties.
What really upset Kambwili was the questionable manner of the last penalty given deep into injury time after the 90 minutes.
Weyesa had to be shielded from Kambwili by State Police but was pelted with beer and missiles as he headed into the dressing room.
“You are very stupid, you don’t handle games like that,” Kambwili said pointing a finger to Weyesa in the dressing room.
Meanwhile, just like in the first leg that also ended 4-3 but in favour of Etoile, the return leg also produced a dramatic seven goal feast although this time the tables were turned.
However, it was Etoile who scored first through via a 4th minute Youssef Mouihidi penalty.
Nkana equalised six minutes later through Ronald Kampamba and Festus Mbewe put the hosts ahead in the 26th minute.
But Etoile leveled again in the 29th minute through Sofiane Moussa to see the two sides go 2-2 into the break.
Simon Bwalya extended Nkana’s lead on 48 minutes while Christopher Munthali added the fourth in 56th minute.
Weyesa then brought misery upon himself with a controversial penalty at the end of the match that Mouihidi duly converted to complete his brace on the day.
Nkana move up to four points after the win, one point behind Etoile after four rounds of games played.
Beston Chambeshi’s side now host Al Ahly of Egypt on August 9 at the same venue.
Al Ahly who lead Group B on five points, were by press time in action at home against Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast last night in Alexandria.
