Bees Send Footballers Diving In Zambia

A Zambia Super League match between Green Buffaloes and Zanaco was briefly stopped when a swarm of bees invaded the pitch.

The two local teams were playing Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka on Wednesday afternoon when a large swarm of bees decided to join in, bringing the game to a halt.

The bees descended when Zanaco player Moses Phiri was preparing to make a thrown-in, forcing the players to lay on their stomachs as the bee situation got sorted out.

But it was not before one of linesmen abandoned his flag before grabbing his neck after apparently being stung.

After the bees were cleared, the match continued, resulting to a 1-1 draw. Robin Siame had found the back of the net in 62^nd minute before  Jack Chirwa netted an equalizer in the dying minutes of the match.

This was not the first case that bees were invading a football pitch in Africa.

In December 2019, a Tanzanian Federation Cup clash between Yanga and Iringa United was topped for almost one hour when a swarm of bees invaded Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Another incident occurred in 2017 in neighboring Kenya where a Kenyan Premier League match between Nzoia United and Posta Rangers at Sudi Stadium was stopped for 18 minutes after a swarm of bees invaded the pitch.

In 2015, a Tanzania Premier League match between Yanga and Mtimbwa Sugar was stopped for five minutes after Musa Hassan Mgosi scored the opening goal for sugar millers.