Kaizer Chiefs defender Kwinika ‘fortunate’ to avoid red card, says Hlungwani

Former Premier Soccer League referee Victor Hlungwani says Kaizer Chiefs defender Kwinika should have been sent off during the club’s 3-2 Betway Premiership victory over Siwelele FC at Dobsonville Stadium.

The Glamour Boys secured all three points, but Hlungwani believes they were fortunate to complete the match with 11 players after Kwinika’s challenge on Siwelele FC forward Blessing Thulo.

Speaking during his regular analysis on SABC’s SoccerZone, Hlungwani said the tackle met the threshold for serious foul play and warranted a straight red card.

Kwinika lunged at Thulo in a challenge which made contact with the ball but then caught the Siwelele FC player’s ankle with his leg extended.

“He got the ball clearly [in the initial tackle, but] this is brutality. It is endangering the safety of an opponent,” Hlungwani said.

“He gets the ball, and after getting the ball, straight leg on the ankle there. This is brutality.”

The incident was assessed under Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game, which governs the National Soccer League (NSL). The law states that a tackle or challenge involving excessive force and endangering an opponent’s safety should be punished with a straight red card for serious foul play.

Hlungwani’s criticism is not the first time Kwinika has been singled out by the former official for an overly aggressive defensive challenge.

The veteran centre-back was previously involved in Hlungwani’s analysis of other high-profile matches, with the former referee arguing that Kwinika should also have been dismissed for serious foul play after dangerous challenges on Mamelodi Sundowns’ Tashreeq Matthews in August.

Despite the controversy surrounding the officiating, Kaizer Chiefs’ victory strengthened their position in the Betway Premiership standings. The Soweto club consolidated third place after edging a five-goal contest against Siwelele FC.

The result also maintained their unbeaten start ahead of their next league fixture, when they travel to meet Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00.

Kaizer Chiefs will then face another away match against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday, 19 September 2026. That fixture will be played at the Princess Magogo Stadium.

For Hlungwani, however, the focus remains on the tackle involving Thulo and what he believes was a missed opportunity to apply the laws of the game. In his view, making contact with the ball did not excuse the subsequent impact on the opponent’s ankle, particularly because the challenge endangered the safety of the Siwelele FC player.