Ma-Africa clash with Loyo Stars nearly abandoned over squabble
A substitution dispute between the assistant referee and one of the Loyo Stars officials nearly brought the Alex derby between Ma Africa FC’s and Loyo Stars FC to a halt.
Usually, the only drama spectators see during a football game comes from the clash of two teams or disputed referee calls.
On November 22, Ma-Africa FC’s Hollywoodbets regional league fixture against Loyo Stars FC at the Alex Safe Hub was nearly abandoned, when a heated dispute broke out between the assistant referee and a Loyo Stars official over a substitution.
Coach Koketso Rapoo, from Loyo Stars, said his team intended to make a change, but the assistant referee argued their substitute was not ready. “I think the sub was ready, but then the lineman said the sub was not ready. It is okay, maybe I am wrong or maybe he was wrong, I don’t know. It is football after all.”
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The incident halted play for several minutes, but, thankfully, it was eventually resolved, and the match continued without further disruption. At the time of the dispute, Loyo Stars were already 3–0 ahead, a reflection of Ma Africa’s sluggish opening to the game. That early setback mirrored a wider pattern in their season, which cost them three of the five games they’ve played thus far.
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They managed to secure only a single point in their first three games this season, after two losses and a goalless draw with Diepsloot Arsenal.
A 2–1 victory over Total Football Excellence, on November 9, gave hope of a turnaround after a tough start, but those hopes faded quickly when they lost 4–1 in the derby against Loyo Stars in their recent clash.
Coach Lucky Zuma, from Ma Africa, admitted his players were not at their best. “My team was not the way it is supposed to be. They were down and everything. I motivated them, I spoke to them, and then at least they tried.”
Zuma said his side showed more fight after the break, even managing to score. “In the second half we played better, because they ended up adding another defender, so, it clearly shows that we were coming. Unfortunately, they scored early and it gave them the upper hand.”
Meanwhile Rapoo credited their win to preparation. “We knew how they were going to play. When they came, they changed it a little bit, but we were still able to exploit the spaces they were creating.”
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