Kaizer Chiefs defender Zitha Kwinika should have been sent off for challenge on Tashreeq Matthews, says Victor Hlungwani

Former PSL referee Victor Hlungwani believes Kaizer Chiefs defender Zitha Kwinika should have received a red card for his challenge on Mamelodi Sundowns forward Tashreeq Matthews during Saturday’s match at FNB Stadium.

The incident happened in a fiercely contested encounter, with Kaizer Chiefs holding a 1-0 lead when Kwinika attempted to clear the ball. In doing so, he appeared to drive his studs into Matthews’ back.

The challenge immediately sparked a confrontation between players from both sides, reflecting the intensity of a physical match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Referee Alfred Jelly Chavani showed Kwinika a yellow card for the incident. However, Hlungwani said the decision failed to reflect the seriousness of the challenge and argued that the defender should have been dismissed.

“He kicked Tashreeq Matthews at the back with excessive force and brutality endangering the safety of an opponent,” Hlungwani said on Soccerzone.

“So, here he got a yellow card for this. This is serious foul play.

“It was supposed to be a red card not a yellow card.”

Hlungwani’s assessment centred on the force used by Kwinika and the potential danger posed to Matthews. In his view, the nature of the contact went beyond a cautionable offence and met the threshold for serious foul play.

The former PSL official also maintained that the challenge endangered the safety of the Mamelodi Sundowns player. While Kwinika remained on the pitch after receiving the yellow card, Hlungwani said the correct punishment should have been a dismissal.

The incident was one of the flashpoints in a match that saw the two opponents involved in a series of physical exchanges. At the time of the challenge, Kaizer Chiefs were in front by a single goal at FNB Stadium.

The decision by Chavani has therefore become the focus of debate, with Hlungwani taking the view that the referee should have shown Kwinika a straight red card rather than a yellow.

Hlungwani’s comments were made on Soccerzone, where he reviewed the challenge and explained why he considered it serious foul play. His conclusion was clear: Kwinika’s kick on Matthews warranted a sending-off.

The incident leaves a clear difference between the referee’s decision on the field and Hlungwani’s interpretation of the challenge. Kwinika was booked, but the former PSL referee believes the Kaizer Chiefs defender should have been removed from the match.