When the referee showed Happy Fighters FC’s key player, Itumeleng Mabusela, a red card after a second caution, Fighters knew the game was slipping even further away beyond reach.

It first became clear after Opopo FC’s fourth goal, but with Mabusela in the game, carried by his determination to test the limits of the opponents, his side carried a flicker of fight.

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For much of the first half, Mabusela kept Opopo’s left-back busy. But once he was sent off in the second half, the team’s spirit visibly waned as though it had just become clear to them that if they could not equalise with 11 men, their prospects with 10 and only a few minutes remaining were inevitably bleak.

Talking after the match at 3 Square Sports Stadium, Fighters coach Jacky Seruwe labelled the red card ‘unnecessary.’
“I don’t understand why the referee cautioned him twice and gave him the red card. He did not injure anyone. There are ways of talking to a player if it’s about discipline. The red card was unnecessary, to be honest.”

Opopo’s coach, Lethabo Mphahlele, acknowledged Mabusela’s quality. “He’s talented, and if not properly guarded, he could punish us. I trusted my left back to keep him contained,” he reflected.

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The first half ended 1-1, with Opopo’s Siyabonga Mthethwa converting an early penalty before Fighters equalised through Sphiwukwanda Shezi. But the second half tilted decisively in Opopo’s favour. Matohove Tougnonnou’s long-range strike set the tone, followed by goals from Lindani Ndlovu and Mthethwa to seal the result.
Despite the heavy defeat, Seruwe insisted his team played well. “We were just unfortunate to make silly mistakes and allow the opponent to score goals. I think the boys just lost concentration in the second half.”

Mphahlele, meanwhile, celebrated the win but stressed the need for more firepower. “I am happy with the results, but obviously we have to chase more goals because our competitors, such as Alex Royal Tigers FC, Raiders FC and everyone chasing the title, are scoring heavily. We are a bit behind in that category, but I am happy with the four goals.”

Opopo FC now sits third on the log with 38 points, keeping their title chase alive. For Happy Fighters, however, the late removal of Mabusela will be remembered as the moment their resistance ended.

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