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Allegations Of Match-Rigging Mar End Of Zimbabwe Soccer Season


Match-fixing charges and fan violence marred the close of Zimbabwe's soccer season as it was alleged members of Harare's Dynamos team threw the match with Bulawayo-based Shooting Stars who faced relegation from the Premier Soccer League.

Dynamos coach David Mandigora says his organization was is investigating members of the squad suspected of throwing Sunday's game against Shooting Stars. Dynamos, a much stronger team, was bested by Shooting Stars by three goals to nil.

That should have rescued Shooting Stars from being sent down to the first division - but the game had to be abandoned when violence broke out as Dynamos fans started throwing stones at their side, accusing them of throwing the match.

Police quelled the disturbance. The violence revived memories of the 2000 incident in which 13 fans died in a stampede at Harare's National Sports Stadium after police fired tear gas at bottle-throwing soccer supporters.

Dynamos Coach David Mandigora spoke with reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye about the game, the rigging charges and the disturbances that ensued.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 For Zimbabwe...

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