Arrows protest over Jackson Mwanza

01/10/2013

RED Arrows has written to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) disciplinary committee protesting against Zesco United for allegedly using an ineligible player in their goalless draw during a rescheduled Week 21 encounter played at Trade Fair grounds in Ndola last Wednesday.

Arrows have accused Zesco of using Jackson Mwanza who was given a red card in the MTN Week 19 match against Power Dynamos in Kitwe by Kapiri Mposhi referee Janny Sikazwe.
The Zambia Air Force (ZAF)-sponsored side contends that Mwanza was supposed to miss the match, saying the Zesco talisman was still serving his suspension.
But Zesco media and public relations officer Katebe Chengo said in a statement that Mwanza was eligible to play against Arrows.
Chengo said Mwanza successfully served his two match which saw him miss the Week 20 and Week 22 matches against Nkwazi and Roan United.
“We hold the rules of the game in high esteem and cannot go against them by allowing an ineligible player on the pitch no matter how difficult the game is.
Arrows are free to approach the two teams we played before them for the match return sheets that will show the lineup of our team to prove that Mwanza was not in the team.
“Lastly, we wish to advise Arrows that they should have researched the status of Mwanza at the time we hosted them before filing the protest,” she said.