MAFETENG — Bantu have appealed to the Vodacom Soccer Spectacular management committee to nullify their nil-all draw against LCS last weekend after the police side allegedly fielded an ineligible player.
The two sides played to a goal-less draw in their quarter-final tie at the Central Prison on Saturday.
A Matšo Matebele wants the committee to award the match to them on a 3-0 scoreline in line with the competition’s rules after LCS fielded Thulo Ranchobe.
Ranchobe was sent off in LCS’ Independence Cup final tie a week earlier and Bantu say he should not have played based on a communiqué the club received listing Ranchobe as banned.
Bantu officials were yesterday reluctant to comment on the matter.
“We don’t want much; we just want the rules to be applied,” a Bantu official said.
The Vodacom Soccer Spectacular management committee chairperson, Tlholo Letete, confirmed the development.
“I can confirm we have received a protest, but as to the details I cannot give any further information,” Letete said.
LCS officials also confirmed the matter but both sides reserved comments.
According to regulations yellow and red card suspensions can only be carried from Vodacom Premier League and Vodacom A-Division matches.
The Independence Cup game in question fell outside the rules.
But a breakdown in communication seems to have caused the current problem.
It is unclear when a decision will be made with the sides’ second leg due to be played next Sunday in Mafeteng.
The development comes two weeks after Bantu beat LCS 3-1 to lift the Independence Cup.
It was Bantu’s first trophy since 1997.
The cup triumph also marked a turnaround for A Matšo Matebele who returned to the top-flight at the start of the 20009/10 season following four years in the First Division.
On Saturday Bantu faced LCS again in the Vodacom Soccer Spectacular quarterfinals. The first leg match at the Central Prison ground finished goalless.
Both Bantu and LCS won’t be in league action this weekend because they have players in the national team squad.
Likuena take on Namibia in an international friendly tie on Monday in Windhoek and leave for the match on Friday.
Games involving Matlama and Lioli have also been postponed because of the national game.
It means the whole league fixture schedule for Sunday has been wiped off the menu.
Matlama, Bantu and Lioli were due to host LDF, Majantja and Mpharane Celtics respectively.
It means the big game of the weekend will be the clash on Saturday in Hlotse when Linare host LMPS in a crucial match for both sides.
Fifth-placed LMPS, with nine points, are one of only two sides unbeaten this season and if they get a win it would see them go top depending on the result in Khukhune between Maduma and Likhopo.
Tse Tala are on a three-match losing streak in the league and lie in 10th place with four points from five games.
Linare though will be buoyed by their 1-0 Vodacom Soccer Spectacular win over Maduma on Saturday and will move up the table with a win over Simunye.
In Khukhune, Maduma will have added incentive when they host basement boys Likhopo.
If the Khukhune side claims all three points at home against Likhopo they will move top of the Vodacom Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.
Maduma, who are fourth with 10 points from a possible 15, have an impressive record at home and have already seen off Linare and Matlama convincingly this season.
For Likhopo, with just a point so far, the match will be an opportunity to move off the bottom of the table.
Vodacom Soccer Spectacular results
Saturday: Maduma
0-1 Linare, LCS 0-0 Bantu
Sunday: Lioli 0-1 Matlama, LDF 2-1 Majantja
Weekend league fixtures
Saturday: Linare vs LMPS (Hlotse)
Maduma vs Likhopo (Khukhune)
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