It’s very challenging but TPLB’s chief executive officer Boniface Wambura has to work with the Tanzania Football federation to wipe this undesirable and shameful habit highly likely to stain image of the country’s soccer.
It has always been difficult to prove who is responsible and so far no one has been taken to task, but the weekend’s scores for teams fighting to gain promotion leave much to be desired.
If there is a huge challenge to investigate this episode, TFF president Jamal Malinzi has all the poor stuff at his doorstep.
Malinzi and Wambura have their turn to play their part in this drama as the ball now rolls at their very court.
The First Division League 2015/2016 season is over, but the promotion drama remains. Without mincing words, fear of favour Group C presented us with clear cut cases of match-fixing that for a long time has been whispered among football stakeholders.
There is no official substance yet to the latest match-fixing claims but implicitly the Tanzania Football Federation has confirmed that it is investigating allegations of possible cases of match-fixing relating to the promotion battle drama between Geita Gold and Police Tabora.
TFF has decided to delay confirmation of Geita Gold promotion from Group C of the First Division League after unusual huge shorelines in matches involving Police Tabora and Geita Gold whose promotion to the top flight depended on goal difference in the final matches.
In Tabora, hosts Police Tabora won 7-0 over fellow military side, JKT Oljoro in a match played at the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium.
While in Kigoma, Geita Gold coached by former Simba midfielder and assistant coach, Selemani Matola won 8-0 over JKT Kanembwa.
Both teams had been level on points before the match and were chasing a place in the Mainland Tanzania premier league, hence to avoid match fixing the two matches were supposed to be played simultaneously.
It is reported that Geita Gold and JKT Kanembwa delayed the kick off citing the lack of confirmation if the other match involving Police Tabora and JKT Oljoro had kicked off.
Police Tabora and JKT Oljoro played for 102 minutes after numerous play-stops due to injuries while in Kigoma, Geita Gold’s goalkeeper went for a natural call that lasted for nine minutes, allegedly after getting report the other match had stopped to allow a goalkeeper’s treatment.
Play had to stop again for several minutes after JKT Kanembwa protested against a second penalty awarded to Geita Gold. When play resumed Geita Gold scored two more goals that were needed to gain promotion.
In a press release, TFF said they are waiting for match official reports and other related sources to be handed to its relevant departments and committees for scrutiny.
Bribery and match fixing has always been assumed to be present in Tanzanian football scene even if it could not be confirmed with valid evidence. Only a fool would argue against that.
Privately, a lot of players, match officials and club leaders admit bribery to influence results is a matter of concern in all tiers of our football.
These huge unusual score lines presents a case that can no longer be taken for granted. The shenanigans involved in the two matches are clear symptoms of a syndrome called match fixing.
The manners in which everything prevailed in the two matches shows that players, coaches and officials have all been involved.
We should not overlook the silly manner in which the collusion was done, it shows something that has gained a wide acceptance or everyone involved feels resigned to the sad fact you go nowhere without bribery.
Because there is an acceptance or resignation, it made it easier for officials and players to get involved.
Another point is that, though it has happened at First Division League, we should not assume the top flight is safe as well.
In fact, it is safe to say First Division League teams get their ‘inspiration’ from the top flight sides.
Breaking the rules becomes easier when there is a feeling even if a false one, that everyone else especially the top guy is doing so.
But far important in the shameful and embarrassing acts witnessed in the First Division League breaking the rules is easier when no one ever gets in trouble for it.
It is a fact no one has ever been seriously punished for match fixing in our higher football tiers.
This is a golden chance to sweep the football house clean. Let nobody involved be spared.
It should be business as usual, for once let us show we care, that we can act to save our football.
We do not have to wait till sponsors pull the plugs on their sponsorship packages in our leagues for TFF to act tough.
The strongest of message should be sent to all culprits to deter all future participants and to ensure such incidents will not occur again so that potential sponsors will not be driven away.
_0.jpg?itok=QU87XW8D){kind=tracking}
.jpeg?itok=vCj6bCRe)
