Ex-Chiefs star’s team fire shots at rivals after SAFA arbitration ruling

The Bees head coach Humphrey Mlwane

Former Kaizer Chiefs star Humphrey Mlwane’s team, The Bees FC, has verbally attacked Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League rivals Tigers Boys after a SAFA arbitration ruled in their favour.

This comes after Tigers Boys lodged a complaint against Mlwane’s side, claiming that The Bees used a player who was supposed to be suspended, due to a red card he received in a league game.

However, the Tiger Boys’ complaint was dismissed by advocate Tshifhiwa Tshitereke, who was the arbitrator in this case.

The ruling decision was made after The Bees presented a video showing that the player Tiger Boys claims that he should have been suspended was not the same individual [player] who received the red card. The verdict was delivered on Saturday, 7 June 2025.

As a result, The Bees were declared the Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League champions. The side finished the 2024/25 campaign on top of the table with 73 points, just three points ahead of second-placed Middelburg United.

The Bees will represent Mpumalanga at the upcoming SA third-tier national playoffs set to be held later this month. SAFA will confirm the venue for the national playoffs in due course.

Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League side The Bees FC
Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League side The Bees FC Photo: The Bees FC

THE BEES FC OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE SAFA ARBITRATION RULING

The Bees have come forward to take a jab at Tiger Boys, citing that they are “sellouts” and that they were influenced by a third party to lodge a complaint against them.

“Our case against the sellout Tiger Boys is finally over! This is the same team that failed to honour some of their games, with rumours of non-payment to players,” said the club in a statement.

“Sitting at number 11 on the log with nothing to lose, they took us to arbitration over a baseless case, and they lost. Whichever team they were trying to make favours for should be ashamed! We believe they were fighting a losing battle on behalf of someone else, and we know the pain has hit the right team.

“We would also like to acknowledge Middleburg United for giving us a real run for our money in the league fight that went all the way to the last game. This also serves as our appreciation to all the teams in the Mpumalanga ABC League for their competitiveness throughout the season.”

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