15th November, 2012
The South African Football Association, SAFA, has launched a full investigation into the claims the Zambia team bus was attacked following their 1-0 friendly international win over Bafana Bafana yesterday.
Collins Mbesuma had given the defending Africa Cup of Nations champions the win in the Nelson Mandela Challenge, but an otherwise entertaining encounter was marred after the final whistle as Chipolopolo’s team bus was stoned by angry South Africans.
Copper Bullets and Free State Stars goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene also sustained a head injury during the attack, leading to much uproar in the footballing community.
The Zambia Football Association confirmed the attack, posting on Twitter: “Very sad that Zambian bus was stoned and Kennedy Mweene sustained a head injury. Has had stitches and is ok, but the incident was shameful.”
Those actions have led to SAFA moving in for a full investigation, with spokesman Dominic Chimhavi saying: “I have spoken to our events director and they will be investigating.”
Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene reportedly needed stitches to a cut on his head after being hit by a stone as he boarded the team bus following the African champion’s win over South Africa.
The stone appeared to be thrown by a South Africa supporter at Mweene, who plays club football in South Africa.
The incident was a further embarrassment for South African football ahead of their hosting of the African Cup of Nations early next year after the national team was outplayed by Zambia at the country’s showpiece stadium.
The pitch at FNB Stadium, which will host the opening game and the final at the championship, was in a poor state following a rock concert there at the weekend.