The Makhado Local Football Association [LFA] under the South African Football Association [SAFA] in Vhembe, Limpopo, has concluded their investigations following a 44-1 scoreline in a promotion decider.
The incident occurred on Friday, 10 July and Saturday, 11 July 2026, when Goloza FA and Madzivi United were fighting for promotion to the SAFA Vhembe Hollywoodbets Regional League.
Going into their last match of the season, both Goloza FA and Madzivi United were tied on 83 points with a spot at the regional playoffs at stake. Goloza had a +65 goal difference while Madzivi were on +33.
Both clubs had to face a club named Majiga Riverside, who were left with two games to conclude their season. On Friday, 11 July, Goloza FA beat Majiga Riverside 7-0 to stretch their lead at the top and were sure of their spot in the playoffs.
WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE 44-1 SCORELINE IN A MAKHADO LFA MATCH IN LIMPOPO?
The following day, Saturday, 12 July 2026, Majiga faced Madzivi United, who were trailing by a 33-goal difference.
In an incident that has also sent shockwaves within the football community in Limpopo, Madzivi United beat Majiga Riverside 44-1 to be crowned champions with a superior four-goal difference.
The result prompted the Makhado LFA to investigate the match after what were viewed as suspicious results.
Speaking to FARPost, Deputy Secretary General of the Makhado LFA, Tshifhiwa Phaswana, confirmed that all reports were collected from both teams and the match referee.
“We received the reports from all parties involved, and we did confirm that the scoreline was accurate,” Phaswana told FARPost. “What we did find out was that Majiga played with only eight players on the day [against Madzivi United]. But as you know, in terms of the rules, a team can play when they have eight players on the field.
“When we were interrogated, they did confirm that they had eight players but didn’t want to miss the match because they would receive a fine.”
LIMPOPO CONTINUE TO PRODUCE BIZZARE SCOLINES DURING KEY PROMOTION MATCHES
This is not the first time that a club chasing promotion scores so many goals in Limpopo. In 2025, a final league match of the season, with promotion to the SAFA Hollywoodbets Regional League at stake in Limpopo, came under scrutiny, after a 42-1 score line with five own goals.
Tshisaulu FC were competing with rivals Duthuni Future Stars to finish top of Thulamela Local Football Association [THULFA] stream D and qualify for the promotional playoffs. Tshisaulu produced a historic score line, netting 20 goals in the first half and 22 in the second and were crowned champions and headed to the promotion playoffs.
In 2022, Matiyasi FC, who were vying for promotion to the Provincial ABC Motsepe League, defeated Nsami Mighty Birds 59-1 in the SAFA Mopani Region. 41 of the goals were recorded as own goals, while a player who was recorded to have been given a red card in the first half was also recorded to have scored a goal in the second half.
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