Local Football Rocked by Weekend of Chaos and Tragedy

This weekend past South African football saw scenes of chaos and tragedy as a pitch invasion ruined a second-flight football league play-off while esteemed coach Michael Lukhubene was gunned down.

The pitch invasion occurred after the ABC Motsepe League semi-final between Msinga United and Orbit College at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal on Friday, 9 June.

Orbit College beat the homeside 1-0, granting them passage to the final and a slot for the 2023/24 Motsepe Foundation Championship. However, it was after the final whistle blew that upset supporters took to the pitch to share their grievances with referee Masixole Bambiso and the visiting team.

Amidst the violent scenes shared across social media – which showed objects being thrown at the pitch, breaking the ground barriers and storming the field – several gunshots could be heard, and reports claiming several people were left injured.

The South African Football Association issued a statement on the same day, saying “hooliganism has no place in football” and that an investigation into the incident would be undertaken.

Meanwhile, tributes are pouring in for former Royal AM and Chippa United coach, Michael Lukhubeni, who was shot dead after the Coke Cup Tournament held at Lingelethu Sports Complex on Sunday, 11 June, in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.

According to reports, Lukhubeni and another unidentified man were “shot and fatally wounded” by two assailants who fled the scene.

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach, Gavin Hunt, tweeted his condolences shortly after the news broke: “RIP Coach Mike. really sad what’s going on in football [sic]”

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