Mamelodi Sundowns remain unbeaten despite yet another refereeing howler in the DStv Premiership

With the Christmas break and the halfway mark in the league fast approaching, the teams in the DStv Premiership added more games under their belts.

Runaway log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns extended their lead at the summit after securing a hard-fought 3-2 win over Royal AM in Tshwane. Two men vying for the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot — Peter Shalulile and Victor Letsoalo — were on target with a brace each for their respective teams.

Shalulile’s two strikes took his tally for the season to 11 goals from 14 games, while Letsoalo is second, trailing his Sundowns counterpart by three strikes.   

However, one of Letsoalo’s strikes came from yet another glaring refereeing error. Referee Thando Ndzandzeka punished Rushine de Reuck for an apparent handball from a cross by Motebang Sera. This despite the ball striking the Bafana Bafana defender in the midriff.

“I don’t speak about referees. I will never speak about referees. I refuse to speak about referees. But [it is] very difficult to stomach that type of performance [from the match officials],” Sundowns co-coach Rulani Mokwena told journalists during a digital press conference after the game.

“Everyone saw the events that took place on the pitch. It’s not for us to complain, but rather focus on making sure we improve the performances,” he added.  

The gap between the defending champions and second-placed Sekhukhune United is now at 11 points after Babina Noko lost to Marumo Gallants, thanks to a solitary strike by Joseph Malongoane.

Those three points were crucial in ensuring that Gallants, currently in 12th spot, maintain some distance between themselves and others looking to stave off relegation.

Relegation candidates close to the halfway mark of the season, Swallows and Baroka, faced off. The Dube Birds picked up a vital three points after defeating Baroka 1-0.

The win, courtesy of a Keletso Makgalwa goal in the second half, was only Swallows’ second win of the season. It moved them to 14th place; although they have played a game more than both second-bottom Chippa United, as well as basement dwellers Baroka.

It takes a village to play a match

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs confirmed on Tuesday that they would not be able to honour their second fixture in a row after a Covid-19 outbreak forced the closure of their training centre — the Kaizer Chiefs Village. They were scheduled to face Golden Arrows in Durban on Wednesday night.

This came after the club announced that 31 people had tested positive for the virus last week. Despite the Village tentatively resuming its activities this week, Amakhosi still do not have enough personnel available to play matches.

Moreover, the club announced that another five people had tested positive for the virus following more testing. 

“Repeat testing was implemented over the past 48 hours for players and staff who were in quarantine. These tests, unfortunately, revealed five more cases, which justified the approach taken by the club in terms of our responsibility to our players, staff and to the football community,” said Amakhosi’s team doctor, Hashendra Ramjee. 

“This shows us why it was important for the team to temporarily avoid playing or interacting with others as this could potentially cause the virus to spread beyond the club — which is an undesirable situation for all involved”.

Despite the match appearing as ‘postponed’ on the Premier Soccer League’s website hours before kickoff, Arrows arrived at their home stadium to honour the fixture.

Abafana bes’thende have arrived at the Princess magogo stadium #sthendeway #greenandgold pic.twitter.com/d3iH9PGDWd

— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) December 8, 2021