Words like “fu**en” and “bastards” were flying all over Sisa Dukashe Stadium this past Friday as Tornado FC emerged late winners during an ABC Motsepe League clash with defending champions Angavu Stars. At the centre of the fiasco was again Tornado coach Jerry Sikhosana.
What was supposed to have been a scintillating end-to-end football game, deteriorated into something more like a wrestling match.
Even a Dispatch journalist was not spared the insults that became a form of communication on and off the field. The entire drama deserved an Oscar award of its own.
At one stage, just a few minutes before the interval, players came close to exchanging blows and engaging in a fist fight with the helpless referee.
The scuffle resulted in three red cards being issued – two for Tornado and one for the visitors.
The game was a boring affair with so many fouls that it became difficult to keep count.
The referee was subjected to verbal abuse from the home team’s bench but it was the linesmen who were the biggest victims of insults and were visibly scared.
Just nine minutes before the final whistle, Tornado’s Thamsanqa “Mara” Moni banged in one for the hosts and they managed to defend it until the game was over.
Post the game, Angavu head coach Mondli Funani, a non-participant in the whole fiasco, expressed his disgust over the chaos.
“It was a dirty game that was decided by a dirty goal,” said Funani who kept his cool throughout the match – unlike the opposition bench who were shouting and throwing hands in the air.
“I mean the match officials were intimidated and as a result were unable to perform their duties properly, but we expect these things in this league and I can tell you now it is going to happen again because nothing will be done about it,” he said.
Funani is optimistic his side are still title contenders. saying that “under normal circumstances, we would have not lost this game”.
His Tornado counterpart, Sikhosana, who was emotional during the game, said he believes that his club is being sabotaged .
“Those people surely know what they are doing but there is definitely someone behind this appalling refereeing in games featuring us. It is not the referees – someone from somewhere is doing it through them,” the former Orlando Pirates marksman said.
“I mean, the standard of refereeing is very poor and I am extremely unhappy about this.
“But I will keep on fighting. I am not going anywhere, I do not care what people say,” Sikhosana said.
In other Motsepe League games over the weekend, Mthatha Bucks remain undefeated in 14 games after winning 1-0 against SUBS from Port Elizabeth.
Real City were 3-2 victors in a contest with Zimbane Killers while FC Elliot thumped Morning Stars 3-0.
FC Buffalo, who are specialists in blowing hot and cold were 3-0 losers against La Liga while as Matta Milan and Kokstad Liverpool played to a goalless draw.
A bottom of the log clash between Tembu Royals and Cacadu United was a high-scoring affair, finishing at 3-3 – a score that helps neither of the two struggling clubs.
Tornado and Angavu clash a ‘wrestling match’
What was supposed to have been a scintillating end-to-end football game, deteriorated into something more like a wrestling match.
Even a Dispatch journalist was not spared the insults that became a form of communication on and off the field. The entire drama deserved an Oscar award of its own.
At one stage, just a few minutes before the interval, players came close to exchanging blows and engaging in a fist fight with the helpless referee.
The scuffle resulted in three red cards being issued – two for Tornado and one for the visitors.
The game was a boring affair with so many fouls that it became difficult to keep count.
The referee was subjected to verbal abuse from the home team’s bench but it was the linesmen who were the biggest victims of insults and were visibly scared.
Just nine minutes before the final whistle, Tornado’s Thamsanqa “Mara” Moni banged in one for the hosts and they managed to defend it until the game was over.
Post the game, Angavu head coach Mondli Funani, a non-participant in the whole fiasco, expressed his disgust over the chaos.
“It was a dirty game that was decided by a dirty goal,” said Funani who kept his cool throughout the match – unlike the opposition bench who were shouting and throwing hands in the air.
“I mean the match officials were intimidated and as a result were unable to perform their duties properly, but we expect these things in this league and I can tell you now it is going to happen again because nothing will be done about it,” he said.
Funani is optimistic his side are still title contenders. saying that “under normal circumstances, we would have not lost this game”.
His Tornado counterpart, Sikhosana, who was emotional during the game, said he believes that his club is being sabotaged .
“Those people surely know what they are doing but there is definitely someone behind this appalling refereeing in games featuring us. It is not the referees – someone from somewhere is doing it through them,” the former Orlando Pirates marksman said.
“I mean, the standard of refereeing is very poor and I am extremely unhappy about this.
“But I will keep on fighting. I am not going anywhere, I do not care what people say,” Sikhosana said.
In other Motsepe League games over the weekend, Mthatha Bucks remain undefeated in 14 games after winning 1-0 against SUBS from Port Elizabeth.
Real City were 3-2 victors in a contest with Zimbane Killers while FC Elliot thumped Morning Stars 3-0.
FC Buffalo, who are specialists in blowing hot and cold were 3-0 losers against La Liga while as Matta Milan and Kokstad Liverpool played to a goalless draw.
A bottom of the log clash between Tembu Royals and Cacadu United was a high-scoring affair, finishing at 3-3 – a score that helps neither of the two struggling clubs.
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