HIGHLANDERS attacking midfielder Joel Ngodzo was on Sunday picked up by the police for disorderly conduct during their 0-1 loss to Chicken Inn as indiscipline continues to rock Bosso.
THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Ngodzo, who was not in the team that played against Chicken Inn, was reportedly drunk and being disorderly when he was taken by police.
No immediate comment could be obtained from the player yesterday while Bulawayo police provincial spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo could not confirm the incident, saying they had not received the report.
It is reported that Ngodzo was questioned about his driver’s licence which he did not have.
Highlanders chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede confirmed that he had heard about the incident, but said the information that he had was sketchy.
“The story is still sketchy, but I heard that he was drinking and was being disorderly,” he said.
“The police asked for his licence which he did not have on him so they took him away.”
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By late Sunday, Ngodzo’s Toyota Corolla was still parked at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds.
He is believed to have paid an admission of guilt fine and was released by the police later that evening.
Gumede, who was not in the office yesterday, said indiscipline in the team was becoming a big problem.
“Now there is a big problem. As for Joel, he was injured and now he is seen drinking,” he said.
Commenting on Charles Sibanda’s behaviour on Sunday when he walked off the field after being substituted, Gumede said his actions were not normal.
“There are some people who called me and said that Charles could have been drunk because his actions were not normal. They believe that he could have been drinking with Josta (Ngodzo) before the game,” he said.
Gumede said any action on the players was expected to be discussed in last night’s review meeting.
“I cannot say much on the action that will be taken against the players because this will be discussed in the meeting after the technical team presents its report,” he said.
Sibanda incited the wrath of Highlanders supporters when he walked off the field of play after being substituted by coach Mark Mathe.
The midfielder had directly defied the Highlanders gaffer during the 53 minutes he was on the field.
This is not the first time the two have been caught on the off-side as they already have final warnings from Bosso following earlier incidences of bad behaviour.
Ngodzo previously had a fallout with former coach Kelvin Kaindu after he and other players were reprimanded for drinking following their 3-1 win over Buffaloes in Mutare on May 25.
The former FC Platinum pair was also given written warnings after their brouhaha on the eve of the TM Challenge Cup against Dynamos in Harare last month.
Mthulisi Maphosa, who has also seen duty at Platinum, is serving a 75-hour community service sentence for assault.
Sibanda has reportedly apologised, but is said to have told the team not to renew his contract as he wants to join Harare giants Dynamos next season and play in the Champions League.
Unbeknownst to the player, his name is part of the list that has already been drawn up of some of the players that will be offloaded at the end of the season.
Ngodzo (24), has also claimed that he made his money in football a long time ago after signing for Platinum three seasons ago for a reported fee of $60 000.
He was once chucked out of training by former coach Kaindu after arriving inebriated.
