LIMPOPO – Ngove Masipala FC, one of the most dominant teams in the history of the Greater Giyani Mayor’s Cup tournament, suffered an early exit after a controversial 4-3 loss to Homu Fighters FC on Saturday.

The match, played under high expectations, was marred by refereeing decisions that left Masipala players and supporters fuming.

The game started with high intensity, and it was Masipala FC who drew first blood, raising the hopes of their loyal fans who had come out in large numbers to support them. However, their lead was short-lived as Homu Fighters quickly equalised, levelling the score at 1-1.

Ngove Masipala appeared to have the upper hand during the early stages of the match, controlling possession and pressing high into their opponent’s half. But momentum shifted dramatically when one of their key defenders, well-known as “Skara,” was shown a red card for using his hand to block a ball that was headed for the goal.

Now reduced to ten men, Masipala struggled to maintain their defensive shape. Homu Fighters capitalised on the numerical advantage and soon found the back of the net again, taking the lead at 2-1.

The situation worsened for Masipala when one of their strikers was brought down inside the penalty box in what appeared to be a clear foul. However, the referee waved play on, instead of awarding a penalty.

As the injured striker lay in pain, the Homu Fighters launched a counterattack and scored their third goal, pushing the score line to 3-1.

The decision not to stop play or award a penalty infuriated Masipala’s bench and supporters. It was only after loud protests from the technical team that the referee halted the match to attend to the injured player. Tensions continued to escalate, with angry supporters threatening the referee.

The situation was so intense that only a small spark was needed to ignite a full-blown pitch invasion. However, despite the controversy and the disadvantage of playing with ten men, Ngove Masipala FC refused to give up.

They fought back with determination and managed to score two more goals. However, Homu Fighters had already added a fourth goal to their tally, leaving the final score at 4-3.

The result means Ngove Masipala FC now finds itself out of the tournament for the first time in the competition’s history. For a team that has consistently reached the latter stages of the Mayor’s Cup and is regarded as one of its powerhouses, the loss comes as a major blow, especially with the top prize of R55 000 at stake.

Their only remaining hope lies in lodging a protest and requesting a rematch. However, that appears unlikely, as the match was not broadcast. Even if their concerns about the referee’s conduct are valid, they will struggle to provide the necessary evidence to support their case.