Wonderboy Makhubu sees red as 10-man Stellenbosch FC and Magesi share the points

Ten-man Stellenbosch FC and Magesi FC shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw in their Betway Premiership relegation scrap at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday night. 

The Cape side took an early lead through Langelihle Phili, who rifled home from close range, before Samuel Darpoh headed home the equaliser shortly before halftime. 

Stellenbosch were reduced to 10 men when Wonderboy Makhubu was handed a straight red card for a foul on Magesi FC defender Tshepo Makgoga. 

It was a disastrous end to what had been a productive night for the Stellenbosch FC striker. Makhubu had worked tirelessly off the ball, created a great chance to put Stellies into lead on the half-hour mark, and was a constant threat throughout until his red-mist moment with a quarter of the game remaining. 

Makhubu’s non-availability for the next couple of matches is a heavy blow to Gavin Hunt’s team’s fight to move away from the relegation zone. 

Stellies would be disappointed not to have claimed maximum points as they were the more industrious of the two sides, particularly in the first half where Faiz Abrahams excelled down the right flank in his first game since returning from his loan spell with Israeli second division side Hapoel Kfar Saba.

Abrahams’ speed and skill worked wonderfully well in tandem with Devin Titus as the pair slalomed past their markers to create promising situations.

Titus was played through on goal with only the Magesi FC goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze to beat, but a poor first touch let the Stellies stalwart down as the ball bobbled away to safety.

Both teams pressed for the elusive winner in the second half with Stellies coming the closest through Thabo Moloisane, who rattled the crossbar with a rasping shot but ultimately both teams were forced to settle for a draw that does neither any favours. 

Stellenbosch remain in 13th place with 16 points, while Magesi are still rooted to the bottom on 12 points.