The final of an inter-county football tournament in Western Equatoria State ended abruptly Saturday after fans stormed the pitch, forcing officials to call off the match and suspend the event indefinitely.
The highly anticipated Inter-County Football Tournament final between Nzara County and Yambio County was halted after a contentious penalty decision triggered the invasion. Nzara County was leading 1-0 when central referee Charles Oga awarded a penalty to Yambio County.
The ensuing chaos made it impossible to continue, according to the local organizing committee.
A member of the Ibba County organizing committee, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly, told Radio Tamazuj that the suspension was for safety reasons. The official blamed the actions of Nzara County fans for the decision.
Nzara County Assistant Coach Alison Wande said the penalty decision was hotly disputed.
“Fans and players were unhappy, and despite accepting the referee’s decision, we couldn’t control the crowd,” Wande said. “The tournament was meant to promote peace, unity, love, and togetherness, but this incident overshadowed that goal.”
Other spectators criticized the officiating.
Sunday Musiro, a fan from Maridi County, called the management of the game poor and questioned the appointment of all officials from Yambio.
Wilson Tetela, Ibba County Commissioner, said the tournament was organized as a peace initiative to unite youth from all ten counties of Western Equatoria State.
“Unfortunately, the final between Nzara and Yambio ended in chaos, and we are very disappointed,” Tetela said.
Attempts to reach Yambio Football Federation Secretary General Olal Joseph Onorio were unsuccessful.