The champ-of-champs match between Simunye XI and Tshino Mighty Comrades that was played at the Tshino grounds on Sunday ended in chaos. The score was 2-2 when the referee, Mr Phineas Rambau, blew the final whistle.

Rambau gave the teams a five minutes break before going for extra time to determine the champions. After a few minutes, he blew the whistle as a way of alerting the teams to continue with the game. Only Mighty Comrades’ players complied while those for Simunye chose to pack their bags and go.

Simunye’s argument was that there was no need for them to go for extra time, saying they had already won the match by virtue of scoring two goals away from home. Although it is not applicable to the competition, Simunye argued that the “away-goal rule” should apply or else the association was not operating in line with the Fifa rules and regulations.

Sunday’s match was a second-leg fixture, as the first-round match was played at the Malonga grounds two weeks ago. No goal was seen at the Malonga grounds, despite several promises from each side. Simunye tried everything within their reach from the onset on Sunday.

The home side, Comrades, were the first to blow the trumpet. Their opening goal was scored by Michael Mulaudzi, who received a pre-cooked pass from Khuliso Makhado and blasted in a rocket in the 14th minute. The visitors from Malonga village retaliated four minutes thereafter. They initiated some moves from the middle of the park and Rudzani Magoro gave the ball a final touch.

Simunye took the lead nine minutes before the break when Ntakuseni Mutavhatsindi received a square pass from Fhumulani Mabeka and made no mistake.

Mashudu Moabe, the demon midfielder of Simunye, was booked for a dangerous tackle on Khuliso Makhado. Moabe was finally given his marching orders in the 76th minute, following another bookable offence. Mighty Comrades were awarded a penalty two minutes before the end of regulated time.