Mafisango risks club fine

APR captain Patrick Mafisango could be punished for recklessly getting himself red-carded during Sunday’s Orange Champions League return leg against African Champions and hosts TP Mazembe. The Rwandan giants marched into the tie on top following their 1-0 first leg win but that lead was wiped out in the 7th minute when TP Mazembe skipper and 2009 CAF local African player of the year Tresor Mputu lashed onto a poor header by the APR backline to slot home. Mafisango then worsened APR’s task on the 40th minute when he received a second yellow for a deliberate hand ball. Patu Kabangu compounded the army side’s misery with a 72nd minute strike to put the tie beyond Erik Paske’s team. The military side arrived in Kigali yesterday afternoon and APR secretary General Adolphe Kalisa told Times Sport that though it is still early to take a stand, the club has penalties for such behaviour and will take appropriate action if it rules that Mafisango was reckless. “We have just arrived and cannot comment about those incidents. The players are still very disappointed and need some rest.” “But we have rules for such acts and we shall sit and decide whether to punish him or not,” said Kalisa. APR’s Malawi International Vincent Nyirenda was also red carded for diving although video footage showed that there was contact from Mazembe’s defender Hichani Himonde. Meanwhile, Bonnie Mugabe also reports that Mafisango and Tchimanga Mutamba stayed in DRC after being granted a short holiday by the club. “We have granted them a short holiday because of the mourning period,” the club’s SG added. The club’s head coach Erik Paske and the Malawian duo of Victor Nyirenda and Chikuepo Msowoya has also been allowed to go and see their families. TP Mazembe chairman Moses Katumbi rewarded Kinshasa based clubs Vita club and DCMP with $40,000 for backing them up during the Sunday show down. Ends

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Mafisango risks club fine