A Nedbank Cup qualifier between Vondwe XI Bullets and Phalaborwa United descended into chaos on Saturday after the match referee was forced to flee for his safety following a violent assault at Makhado Show Ground in Limpopo.
The Nedbank Cup qualifiers involving SAFA ABC Motsepe League clubs began on the weekend of 12/13 September 2026.
The clubs are fighting for a place in the Last 32 of the competition, where eight SAFA clubs will be paired with eight teams from the Motsepe Foundation Championship and the 16 Premiership clubs.
Clubs from the Limpopo ABC Motsepe League stream A were scheduled to play their qualifying matches in Makhado and Musina on Saturday, with the top two teams set to play a decider on Wednesday, 23 September.
However, one of the matches on the day was disrupted after accusations that a referee awarded a dubious penalty.
NEDBANK CUP QUALIFYING MATCHES UNDERWAY FOR SAFA CLUBS
WHAT HAPPENED DURING A NEDBANK CUP QUALIFIER MATCH IN LIMPOPO?
FARPost has established that troubles started with 10 minutes remaining on the clock with the score at 0-0. According to eyewitnesses, the referee awarded a penalty to Vondwe XI Bullets late in the match.
However, after a few deliberations with other match officials, the referee reportedly changed his decision and awarded a free kick outside the box. But to everyone’s surprise, the referee reportedly changed his mind again and awarded a penalty to Vondwe.
The controversial call reportedly enraged Phalaborwa players, management, and supporters. Within minutes, the situation escalated dramatically as the referee was forced to sprint off the pitch to escape the approaching mob, prompting swift intervention from the South African Police Service [SAPS].
FARPost reached out to SAFA Limpopo head of referees Ephraim Singo for comment, but his phone rang unanswered.
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