TWO soldiers have appeared in court charged over the assault of a referee during a Division Two match on May 2.
Tendai Nyamanjiva, 26, and Steven Banda, 28, both attached to HQ 1 Brigade, play for Division Two club, Jumbo Stars.
Banda pleaded guilty to assault and was remanded in custody to Thursday for sentencing, while Nyamanjiva entered a not guilty plea and was remanded out of custody to May 24 on US$50 bail.
Bulawayo magistrate Lindiwe Mbizwo, sitting at the Western Commonage Magistrates’ Courts, heard that the two soldiers went to war after referee Oscar Bumhe sent off one of their teammates for a crude foul during their league match with Rainbow FC at Mpopoma High School.
Banda charged at the referee, raining fists on the official who holds a Class One licence and takes charge of Divisions One and Two matches.
After Banda was restrained, the court heard, the match official gathered himself and flashed the red card at him.
Frank Sipho Ncube, prosecuting, told the court that the red card seemed to incense Banda further, and he lashed out again, now joined by Nyamanjiva.