A free-for-all brawl broke out the minute after the referee red carded Matebele goalkeeper, Kenalemang Neo. After a goalless first half, the game sparked into life on the hour, albeit for all the wrong reasons.
Matebejana broke on the counter, which forced Neo to commit a dangerous tackle inside the box. The tackle gave birth to a fierce fight as there was a lot of shoving and fists were exchanged between Neo and one of the Matebejana players. The referee did not hesitate but reach for his pocket and sent Neo for an early shower for his actions in the 63rd minute.
But that did not mark the end of the brawl as security personnel rushed in to quell the situation. However, they met uncompromising Matebele players who were full of rage. One of the players appeared to throw a punch at the security officers as the fracas dragged on for more than five minutes. When sanity finally prevailed, the fans were treated to top drawer stuff as the two teams went after each other. It was Matebejana who drew the first blood via a penalty converted by Mmoloki Masoko in the 68th minute. Moments after conceding the penalty and despite the numerical disadvantage, Matebele started a fierce probe for the equaliser.
The log leaders were all over their opponents, as they launched a wave of attacks, defying the red-card moment. Matebele's persistence was rewarded in the 81st minute as Kemoreng Batisani rose the highest to beat Matebejana’s defence and connected well with the ball to head past the keeper. Smelling blood, Matebele kept pushing for a late winner to turn the tie around and maintain their grip at the top. And with a few seconds left on the clock, super-sub Thabo Maponda found the back of the net to hand his side a heroic comeback. Maponda scored from inside the box after he received a good pass and he did not let it go to waste.
Matebele emerged 2-1 victors from the humdinger and with the win, their title prospects are getting ever brighter. But Matebele coach, Elias Chinyemba was not pleased with the behaviour of his players, in particular, goalkeeper, Neo. “We are definitely going to take measures against our goalkeeper. He didn’t cover himself well and he should know that these things happen. You get a red card and the referee’s decision is final” he said. He, however, applauded his players for the resilience they showed in turning around the game after getting the red card and trailing by one goal.
The teams Matebejana: Mpho Mantsho, Patrick Bonang, Mmoloki Masoko, Selatoleng Dikole, Theo Shadikong, Audreen Chisiyanwa, Mbaakanyi Makafiri, Katlo Setlhoka (Molosiwa Molosiwa), Mpaphi Chinyepi (Aobakwe Edson), Bopelo Palalani
Matebele: Kenalemang Neo, Kgosietsile Ernest, Monaheng Thaele (Thabo Dambe), Osego Gaotewe, Obonye Moswate, Kemmy Pilato, Teddy Ditshweu, Lesego Motlhabankwe, Bernard Kebotseng, Kemoreng Batisani, Thatayaone Nkwapa
Matebejana 1 (Masoko 68 - pen) Matebele 2 (Batisani 81, Maponda 97)
