The Makhado Local Football League Stream E match between Tshikhwani Young Stone Breakers and Tshiozwi Dynamos FC was abandoned after the referee complained of intimidation.
The match, played at Tshikhwani Grounds on Saturday, 7 March, was called off after just 36 minutes. At the time of abandonment, Dynamos were leading 1–0.
Angry fans and officials from Stone Breakers allegedly accused referee Aluwani Mashavha of bias. Mashavha told Limpopo Mirror that he no longer felt safe to continue officiating as every decision he made was being questioned by officials. He said one Stone Breakers official confronted him after he had issued a red card, leaving him with no option but to abandon the game.
Dynamos coach Patrick Nageli expressed disappointment with the behaviour of the Stone Breakers officials. “They lack discipline, and such behaviour will not get them anywhere,” he said. Nageli added that Dynamos had taken a 1–0 lead when a Stone Breakers official allegedly invaded the pitch. Dynamos players and officials attempted to calm the situation by asking the official to leave the field, but their appeals were ignored.
A Stone Breakers official who asked to remain anonymous criticised the referee for failing to control the game from the start and claimed some decisions appeared one-sided. He said losing a match under such circumstances could demoralise both the players and the technical team.
Chairperson of the Makhado Local Football Association, Freddy Phathela, said the association was awaiting official reports from both teams and the referee. “Once we receive these reports, the Stone Breakers reserve team will have to appear before a disciplinary hearing. They will be charged with the abandonment of the match and the alleged assault of the referee,” he said.