City Stars robbed of valuable points due to assault incident
Barberton City Stars' attempt to register their first victory for the 2014/15 season was ruined after their Mpumalanga ABC Motsepe League clash against MP Highlanders on Saturday at the prison sports ground, had to be stopped due to unruly fan behavior.
In the 76 minute into the game Lucky “Maselesele” Mkhabela, who is attached to Teka-Teka came onto the field and injured a Highlanders player.
The referee, Mandla Mahlalela had no choice but to take precautionary measures to protect the players by stopping the game. Mkhabela hit Thobelani Shembe, who was on the bench, with a beer bottle. Shembe was rushed to m’Africa Clinic but was discharged the same day.
The game was one-all at the time. Mabobo Mhlanga, the home team’s spokesman said this behaviour was uncalled for taking into consideration that Mkhabela was also a registered player.
“As a team, we still don’t understand his intention. He is supposed to understand the rules governing the game. It is very sad that as a host team, we might have forfeited the three points because it was our duty to provide security,” said Mhlanga.
He said they hoped Safa would take disciplinary action against Mkhabela. The game against Highlanders was their third this season. Ingucungucu are yet to taste victory. They played to a one-all draw against Easthigh Academy in their opening game at home and went on to play a goalless draw against Young Highlanders at Emalahleni Stadium.
Worse, their quest to reach the Nedbank Cup last 32 keep eluding them after they were bundled out in the last 16 by eMzinoni All Stars 2-0. This coming Saturday Stars will face a mammoth task of overcoming last season’s league runners-up, Phiva Young Stars when they visit them at KaMhlushwa Stadium. Kick-off is at 15:00.
