Football must not turn a blind eye to Kariba tragedy

Zimbabwe’s football authorities are facing criticism after the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) went ahead with Chibuku Super Cup matches as the country mourned the deadly Kariba ferry disaster. The Mbuya Nehanda capsized on Lake Kariba on August 11, killing scores. By the time the games were played, 44 bodies had been recovered and 77 survivors rescued; police later put the death toll at 93, calling it Zimbabwe’s deadliest maritime accident. The ferry reportedly carried far more than its authorized capacity of 90. ZPC Kariba still played and won against Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab Stadium.