In last week's edition, we looked into the mammoth 12 penalties awarded to Kaizer Chiefs this season across all competitions. The verdict was that the vast majority of those, around 10 or 11 of the spot-kicks, were the correct decisions by the officials and Arthur Zwane's charges deserve credit for provoking opponents into errors. What is curious this season is that the side has also seen nine significant red cards for opponents in their matches – i.e. leading to them being reduced to 10 men. This is compared to just one on-field red card for the Soweto giants (plus substitute George Matlou being ejected from the touchline). It can't have happened many times in local football history that one side faces 10 men on nine occasions in a single season AND wins 12 penalties! Naturally, opposition supporters are raising their eyebrows and pondering some sort of conspiracy. In a follow-up to last week's feature, Soccer Laduma looks at whether the sending-offs were the correct decision, which referees were involved and whether Amakhosi took advantage of having a player more. There's also a look at the team's record versus 11 men and whether that could be a bad omen for next season!
Opponents see red nine times
MATCH COMPETITION RESULT OPPOSITION RED TIME SCORE AT RED MINUTES V 10 MEN
Marumo Gallants 1-1 Chiefs PSL Drew Olivier Touré 66' 0-1 24
Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 AmaZulu FC MTN8 Drew Veluyeke Zulu 54' 0-1 26
Stellenbosch FC 1-3 Chiefs PSL Won Mogamad De Goede 55' 2-1 35
Golden Arrows 0-2 Chiefs PSL Won Siyabonga Khumalo 94' 2-0 0
TS Galaxy 0-0 Chiefs PSL Drew Marks Munyai 56' 0-0 34
Maritzburg United 0-2 Chiefs Nedbank Cup Won Travis Graham 38' 0-0 82
Chiefs 1-0 Orlando Pirates PSL Won Innocent Maela 60' 0-0 30
Richards Bay FC 0-1 Chiefs PSL Won Salim Magoola 19' 1-0 71
Chiefs 2-1 Stellenbosch PSL Won Sage Stephens 16' 1-0 74
In all, Kaizer Chiefs have enjoyed 376 minutes playing against 10 men this season. In fact, only the red card dished out to Golden Arrows midfielder Siyabonga Khumalo turned out to have little to no effect on the match, as he was sent off in the 94th minute of the match. Every other sending-off gave the Soweto giants between 24 and 82 minutes with a player extra, meaning their opponents would fatigue and gaps would often start to open up. If we look at the score of the side's matches at the time of the dismissals, we can see how much of an effect it had on the outcome. They were 1-0 down to Marumo Gallants and scored an equaliser through Zitha Kwinika after the red card. Against AmaZulu FC, Keagan Dolly equalised after the opponents had a centre-back sent to the dressing room. Against Stellenbosch FC, we can say that the red card didn't have as much of a material effect as Amakhosi were already 2-1 up and the red card came through the act of conceding a penalty, which increased the scoreline to 3-1. Against TS Galaxy, they had 34 minutes plus additional time with an extra player, but they lacked ideas and the risk-taking to create a winning goal. In the Nedbank Cup, they saw Team of Choice captain Travis Graham dismissed after 38 minutes and because Arthur Zwane's side could not score in the following 52+ minutes of regulation time, extra time was needed. That meant a further 30 minutes versus exhausted legs to eventually score the goals, which put them into the Round of 16. For anyone who saw Innocent Maela sent off in the Soweto Derby, his ejection had a big impact on the result. Orlando Pirates dropped into a low block and stopped carrying much attacking threat. The Naturena-based side eventually got the winner through an 89th minute own goal. That match had a 0-0 draw written all over it, so the red helped to gain an extra two points. The last two red cards for opponents were both given to their goalkeepers. Salim Magoola was sent off 19 minutes into the match against Richards Bay FC, although the Glamour Boys were already 1-0 up. Chiefs had 71 minutes to kill the game off but they missed several clear-cut opportunities. The red card had the effect of making it less likely that the Natal Rich Boyz would come back to equalise – they've lost 13 of the 14 matches where they've fallen 1-0 behind, so maybe the red card made little difference! A couple of matches later, Stellies had to deal with 74 minutes without goalkeeper Sage Stephens. Chiefs were already a goal up, but that means, despite such a long time with one less player, they could only draw 1-1 across the rest of the match.
Did the refs get it right?
Below, we go through the nine red cards and see whether the decision was correct and what exactly the dismissal was for. Violent conduct red cards can come from indiscipline or perhaps the pressure of the crowd and the occasion. The Soweto giants can hardly claim they provoked these dismissals, but they can argue that sending-offs for tactical fouls (either for two yellows or a straight red card) came from good attacking play.
1) 1-1 draw v Marumo Gallants: Olivier Toure (66th minute)
In September, we saw the first red card dished out to a Chiefs opponent. Ivorian defender Ismael Olivier Toure was dismissed with 24 minutes plus added time to play. He was given two yellow cards and left his side at a disadvantage at 1-0 after a strong display. Amakhosi eventually came back to level matters and leave with a point. If we look at the two decisions, both are the correct calls without a shadow of a doubt. The first yellow is for tripping Kgaogelo Sekgota on the edge of the box, a pretty clear caution. For the second yellow, a long ball from the back is well flicked on by Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana for Ashley Du Preez. The Ivorian comes across and catches the speed merchant with a late tackle halfway up the thigh. This was a straight red card offence by itself, even though the player gets just a second booking. The referee on the day, Thokozani Mkhize, got this decision completely correct to eject the player.
2) 1-1 draw v AmaZulu FC: Veluyeke Zulu (54th minute)
This game was full of drama as two substitutes and a member of the Usuthu coaching staff were sent off. However, the only dismissal which affected on-field proceedings was one for defender Veluyeke Zulu. He was cautioned in the 18th and then 54th minutes, the second for a hand to the face of an opponent. Sekgota played a quick pass around the corner and the defender obstructs the winger's progress. The now-retired referee Victor Gomes rightly issued a second booking. The Naturena-based outfit were 1-0 down at the time and went on to score with a man more. Former referee "Mr. Spot On", Ace Ncobo clarified the decision, saying, "Here is a hand to the face, the referee is obliged by the directive. It's an automatic yellow, it's like foot to foot, automatic yellow, hand to face is an automatic yellow. Red card, he's gone."
3) 3-1 win v Stellenbosch: Mogamat de Goede (55th minute)
This red card was covered in last week's feature as it happened at the same time as a penalty was given. Amakhosi countered at speed as Bimenyimana raced behind the defence from an onside position. Mogamat De Goede impeded the striker several times and the contact continued into the box. A red card (and therefore a double punishment) was given because it wasn't considered a genuine attempt to play the ball. The bulky defender slid from behind and only one outcome was possible. There really can't be any arguments with this call. We can repeat what Ncobo said about Tshidiso Maruping's decision: "There is an obvious goalscoring opportunity that is being denied. That's why it's not downgraded to a yellow. Holding plus a red card – spot on decision."
4) 2-0 win v Golden Arrows: Siyabonga Khumalo (93th minute)
This red card came with 92:31 on the clock and Chiefs already 2-0 up. It had zero effect on the outcome of the match. If we look at the second yellow, Khumalo very clearly tugs the shirt of substitute Sekgota and there can be no arguments that ref Xola Sitela got the call correct.
5) 0-0 draw v TS Galaxy: Marks Munyai (56th minute)
In this frustrating 0-0 draw, Zwane's side played the final 24 minutes plus six minutes of added time with a man advantage. In the first of the two cautions for right back Marks Munyai, he came for a stray arm on Du Preez, a clear booking. The second bookable offence was just a few minutes later. He clattered into Bimenyimana, following through and injuring the striker's ankle. He got the ball, but it was a definite yellow for the follow-through and excessive force used. Olani Kwinda got this decision correct and few would argue, despite the defender getting the ball first – we know players can even be sent off when they get the ball if studs are showing or they use a scissor motion with their trailing leg!
6) 2-0 win v Maritzburg United: Travis Graham (38th minute)
This was one of the most certain red cards we've seen all season, dished out by referee Abongile Tom. The Glamour Boys catch Maritzburg on a counterattack and captain Graham clatters Mduduzi Shabalala with a high, late and dangerous tackle. He only received a second yellow card, but this was a 100% straight red card. The player himself didn't dispute the decision at all, taking to social media to say the following: "I would like to apologise to the club, coaches, teammates and the blue army supporters for my actions tonight. I take full responsibility for letting us down tonight. Sorry."
7) 1-0 win v Orlando Pirates: Innocent Maela (60th minute)
The first thing to mention here is that Amakhosi should have seen Christian Saile red-carded in the 29th minute of this game. He made a bad challenge on Innocent Maela, which could have broken the fullback's ankle. If we look at the dismissal for Bucs, there again can't be any complaints from opposition supporters or coaches whatsoever! Yusuf Maart gets his head up and sends Saile – who shouldn't have been on the field – racing away down the middle on a fast break. Maela chases him from the halfway line and eventually dives into and trips the forward. The offence was outside the box, so there can be no arguments about the "double punishment" directive that comes with penalties for fouls by the 'last man'. Abongile Tom got this particular call correct, though his earlier error is difficult to explain.
8) 1-0 win v Richards Bay FC: Salim Magoola (19th minute)
In a victory away at the Natal Rich Boys, Chiefs had an early lead through Siyabonga Ngezana's header. Richards Bay were very open in this match and were leaving wide spaces behind their backline. Siyethemba Sithebe had time and space and he picked out a lovely blind-side on the left by Keagan Dolly. Magoola reads the pass and gets there first, but he misjudges the bounce and handles the ball outside his box as it was going past him. Had he not taken that action, whether deliberate or involuntary, Dolly would have raced through and tapped into an open net. There is no other decision that can be taken by referee Masixole Bambiso. It was decent movement by Dolly and a searching pass, but Amakhosi can't claim they provoked this red card to any great degree. The goalkeeper made an absolute howler from an interception he should have completed quite comfortably.
9) 2-1 win v Stellenbosch FC: Sage Stephens (16th minute)
This red card comes after some slick build-up play by the Soweto giants. There is some excellent dribbling by Shabalala to break the Stellies pressing and he follows that with a glorious pass over the top. Despite people thinking it was the pace of Du Preez running behind the defence, it was actually a perfectly timed run by Dolly. Goalkeeper Stephens handles outside the area, denying a possible goal. Steve Barker was very unhappy post-match and the Winelands club's players complained bitterly that Dolly had been offside, but that is untrue. This was a 100% red card and also an action which Amakhosi earned with excellent football. No error on the part of referee Tshidiso Mkwanazi. Ncobo backed the call by the official on SuperSport's Extra Time show, saying, "Straight red because of denying a goalscoring opportunity. The referee is obligated by the Laws of the Game to show a red card. He handles the ball outside the penalty area – a ball that is obviously goal-bound and no defender is in close proximity that could have covered there and there is no offside. Are there any defenders that could have covered the goalkeeper? No. Was there another opportunity for the attacker to regain possession of the ball? Yes. Red card offence. Spot on decision by the referee."
CHIEFS VS 11 MEN
(All Competitions)
Matches 23
Wins 9
Losses 9
Draws 5
Goals Scored 25
Goals Conceded 31
Goal Difference -8
Win % 39%
If we look at how Chiefs perform this season versus 11 men, it's quite alarming. In their 23 matches without an opposition red card, they have lost nine times! More alarming is that they've conceded 31 goals in those fixtures and only scored 25, meaning a negative goal differential of minus eight. If we contrast that with their results versus 10 men, their win percentage drops from 66% to 39%, whilst their loss percentage jumps from 0% to 39%! Whilst the Soweto giants don't control the decisions of referees, they have to take a long, hard look at their performances when they aren't given a helping hand.
Amakhosi have relied somewhat on 11 v 10 perk!
Looking at all of the refereeing decisions, it is clear that no single referee is benefitting Chiefs and all of the red cards were the correct decisions! Zwane spoke out recently and said the same to the media. Some would have disagreed with him on the spot, but the above forensic examination shows that "Mangethe" was telling no lies. He told the media, "If you look at all the calls that were made by the officials, what did you see? Were they not legitimate? If the keeper handles the ball out of his 18-yard area, then what do you call it? Everyone has their own opinions and we respect that, but if you go through all the challenges, the red cards and playing against a team that knows that they can't match Kaizer Chiefs in open play, you'll see we deserved them." Some of those red cards came from excellent football by Chiefs and a fair few of the infringements denied clear goalscoring chances. Some of the other red cards were glaring individual howlers by the other team. It is unthinkable that the Soweto giants will get as many penalties or red cards next season, just going by the law of averages. Their results when facing 11 players will need to be miles better or they will face jibes that they only challenged for second spot because of assistance out of their control. In fact, if we go back over their last 10 matches without a red card, they have lost five times. Sekhukhune United beat Amakhosi home and away without conceding a goal. They doubled up in defensive areas and blocked spaces and that would be impossible for an extended period with 10 men. Mamelodi Sundowns, AmaZulu FC and Arrows all managed to inflict defeat on Zwane's men by keeping their full complement on the pitch. When coaches give their pre-match team talk, that should be the first point they make: "No red cards today! No defeating ourselves!"
