Kaizer Chiefs Fans Fuming After Controversial Decision Costs Them A Point Against Sundowns
- Kaizer Chiefs supporters erupted in frustration after a late disallowed goal left them empty-handed in their thrilling clash with Mamelodi Sundowns.
- Mamelodi Sundowns, reigning PSL champions, triumphed 2-1 over their arch-rivals at a packed FNB Stadium, with goals from Lucas Ribeiro and Iqraam Rayners sealing the deal.
- Social media lit up as fans debated the referee's call while praising the high-quality football on display during the match.
On a sunny Saturday, September 28, 2024, the soccer world in South Africa came to a standstill as PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns narrowly edged out Kaizer Chiefs in a 2-1 victory. The much-anticipated clash delivered everything fans hoped for—intense action, breathtaking skill, and a fair share of controversy.
This was no ordinary derby. From the first whistle to the final seconds, the atmosphere at FNB Stadium was electric. Both teams gave their all, but in the end, Sundowns walked away with all three points, leaving Chiefs fans with a bitter pill to swallow.
In a dramatic twist, Chiefs thought they had secured an equalizer in the dying moments of the game. However, the referee ruled the goal out due to an alleged foul by defender Amakhosi Inacio Miguel during the buildup. It was a heartbreaking moment for the Chiefs faithful, who were left questioning the decision.
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The match started explosively, with Chiefs taking an early lead in the ninth minute. Winger Ranga Chivariro capitalized on some sloppy defending to net his second goal in as many weeks. The Amakhosi faithful erupted, believing this could be their day.
For the remainder of the first half, Chiefs looked threatening, with Mduduzi Tshabalala, Chivariro, and Gaston Sirino combining beautifully to create chances. But despite their dominance, they couldn't extend their lead, setting the stage for Sundowns' comeback.
Sundowns Strike Back in Style
Sundowns, never ones to shy away from a challenge, responded with authority. Just as the first half was approaching its climax, Lucas Ribeiro showcased his class with a clinical finish to bring Sundowns level. The stadium erupted again, this time in favor of the champions.
And it didn’t stop there. Only six minutes later, Iqraam Rayners added a second goal for Sundowns, silencing the Chiefs supporters and sending the Sundowns faithful into a frenzy. The goal was pure quality, a testament to Rayners’ sharpness in front of goal.
Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi was visibly frustrated on the sidelines, arguing vehemently that Rayners’ goal should have been disallowed due to an offside call in the buildup. His protests fell on deaf ears, and the game moved on.
Chiefs Miss Golden Opportunities
The second half saw Chiefs come out fighting, determined to salvage something from the match. They created numerous chances, with Edson Castillo coming close on several occasions. One particular header by Castillo was brilliantly saved by Ronwen Williams, who was in inspired form between the posts.
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Chivariro also had his moments, testing Williams with some audacious shots, but fortune wasn’t on his side. At one point, he felt aggrieved after his 70th-minute shot appeared to be handled on the line by Mosa Lebusa, though no penalty was awarded.
Despite their best efforts, Chiefs couldn’t find the elusive equalizer. Castillo once again tested Williams, who was deservedly nominated for the Lev Yashin Trophy, but the goalkeeper remained steadfast. Nabi’s men pushed forward relentlessly, but poor shot selection and some solid defending from Sundowns ensured they left empty-handed.
Fans React on Social Media
The final whistle brought a mix of emotions among the fans. For the Chiefs supporters, there was disappointment, anger, and disbelief. Many took to social media to voice their frustrations, accusing the referee of robbing them of a fair result.
Xristo_N tried to keep a level head:
“As a Kaizer Chiefs fan, I am trying to contain myself from all the noise because I know we are very dangerous. We’ll come back stronger.”
I_Know_Ball4K wasn’t so restrained:
“This fine is worth it. Should’ve thrown more things. The referee ruined it for us.”
GI_Irvin echoed the sentiment:
“We were playing against the referee boys. You did well!!!!”
Tumi__Joy couldn’t hold back her criticism:
“You have to use Motsepe money to beat us; we were clearly better. This is outrageous.”
Ezb_classic summed up the feelings of many:
“How can I explain this defeat to my friends? Amakhosi, what happened? We deserved better.”
Komphela Talks His Way Out of Trouble
In other news, Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Steve Komphela found himself in an interesting situation off the pitch. As reported by Briefly News, Komphela was stopped by traffic officers in Johannesburg while driving his matte black R3 million Lamborghini.
The encounter quickly went viral, with footage showing Komphela being pulled over for speeding. Despite not wearing a seatbelt, Komphela managed to charm his way out of trouble. Instead of issuing a fine, the officers asked for some motivational words from the legendary coach, turning what could have been a tense situation into a lighthearted exchange.
