Man stabbed over football debate

Zim Now Writer

A 40-year-old man is facing attempted murder charges after stabbing his friend over a soccer debate.

Meluleki Ndlovu was arraigned before the Beitbridge Magistrates’ court facing attempted murder charges.

It is the State’s case that on April 9, 2024, the accused person met the complainant who was coming from his brother’s place.

They started to have a soccer discussion on Arsenal Football Club’s performance.

A dispute arose between the two, prompting the accused person to insult the complainant.

The disagreement escalated and the accused person allegedly stabbed the complainant on the stomach with a knife before fleeing the scene.

The matter was remanded to April 26, 2024.

There have been several such cases in the past, with some leading to death.

Last month, a 27-year-old man Edmore Mhike of Hotera Village under Chief Samambwa in Zhombe was struck on the head with a stone by his younger brother, Peter Mhike, 22, over an argument with Joakim Moyo, 29, about the outcome of a football match.

The argument occurred over a match between Liverpool and Manchester City.

Late last year, a 24-year-old Harare man Tadiwanashe Makumbe killed his brother-in-law, Julius Nenzou following an argument over a soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Newcastle.

In 2022, a 31-year-old football fan was killed with a machete after an argument over Manchester United's 4-0 loss to Brentford.

Vukile Nkomo, 31, was reportedly murdered after watching the football game in Fingo Bottle Store with his brother in the rural village of Mbembesi.

In 2018, a 23-year-old Chelsea fan from Plumtree, Consider Sibanda Gasaza, was stabbed following a misunderstanding over English Premier soccer results.