A stupendous Bissa equaliser sent Zabarmas boycotting penalty shootout in protest, claiming officiating has been “unfair” in their Wednesday’s Second Round super clash in the ongoing Zongo Inter Tribal Gala.
A 94th minute equaliser from the Bissa team set the entire stadium into a delirium and they walk in pride into the Quarter-Final stage.
There was a wild jubilation from the Bissa side but the Zabarmas walked off in protest after failing to protect their 60th minute lead.
They had all what it takes to go in for the cushioning, but they lived to regret as profligacy and constant delaying tactics came back to haunt them when the referee added 7 minutes of injury time to cover up what has been deliberately wasted.
They felt comfortable with their solitary lead and did not anticipate there is more to play than to delay.
But the moment of accountability came when the referee had to sum up all what has been wasted back into the basket.
And it was that Hakim Dabre’s sweet thunderbolt strike from 30 yards, which turned things sour for the Zabarmas, who then set the Kanda Cluster of School park into a pandemonium.
They boycotted the penalty shootout, blaming the match officials for aiding the Bissas back into level pegging.
It was an embarrassing scene painted by the Zabarmas whose actions have marred the beauty of the tournament, which is meant to build unity among the Zongo tribes.
Wednesday’s encounter was one of the toughest as it featured two of the tournament’s biggest favourites.
It was the 4th encounter between the two and the Bissas now have the bragging rights with two wins with no defeat.
Matches between the two are the genesis of what has grown to be the Zongo Inter Tribal Gala in 2021, after other tribes expressed interest to participate in making a bigger soccer fiesta.
Their rivalry dates back in 2017 when their first encounter in a goalless draw.
The 2018 edition ended in goaless draw as well while the Bissas won by a lone goal in 2019.
The game lived up to its billing as it was the first of the second round games to have produced goals in regulation time.
Both teams had promised their fans of victory, but it was the Bissa team that brought their “Zekula Mystic” into the party to earn a deserving equaliser in front of their Chiefs, who had thronged the venue to offer their massive support
The Bissas now join the Ga Adangmes, Mossis and the Kotokolis in the Quarter Final stage as more Second Round actions continue on Thursday.