>>BY OCHIENG’ ERIC>>
A well contested semi final match between Amsterdam FC from Ukunda ward and Viena FC from Tiwi ward at the Ukunda showground was full of drama after claims of witchcraft interfered with the game, twice.
Despite Amsterdam cruising in to the finals after clinching a 2-1 victory, the match had to stop in different occasions before the center referee restored normalcy.
The match started with both teams looking to take the lead as early as possible.
Vienna were the first to break the deadlock in the 8th minute of the game after Salim Zakari dribbled past two defenders and his shot found the back of the net.
Vienna were ahead until Amsterdam’s Salim Katsutsu was brought down in the opponents box by the keeper in the 27th minute, giving Mark Okinyi an opportunity to level the match.
Claims of witchcraft rocked the match in the 32nd minute with Vienna FC players protesting to the referee that Amsterdam foward Jabale Dele had kept something in his socks associated to juju.
The match stopped for a few minutes before normalcy was restored.
In the 45th minute of the game Joseph Baya scored a goal that took Amsterdam to the finals after a fine cross from Bakari Jana.
The second half of the game delayed after another protest of juju was forwarded by Vienna citing a certain boy had to be removed from the goal post.
Talking to Baraka FM, Amsterdam coach Hamisi Matari said “our passion for the game and training discipline is what has given us the win and nothing else.”
On the other side Vienna FC were not pleased by the officiating of the game citing that the referee was bias.
In another semi final Azam FC cruised to the final after edging out Kombani Youth 2-0.
