The were ugly scenes at the end of ABC Motsepe League semi-finals, as unhappy Umsinga United supporters stormed the pitch at Harry Gwala Stadium after their team missed out on promotion to the PSL.
Umsinga, who were the Kwa-Zulu Natal representatives in the ABC Motsepe League play-offs, collected maximum points in the group stages, beating beating Dondol Stars 2-1 and Buffalo FC 7-1.
Many saw them as favourites for their semi-final against Orbit College from North West, who had qualified as best second-placed team following a 2-0 win over Mlambo Royal Cubs and a 1-1 draw with Mpheni Home Defenders.
But Orbit beat Umsinga 1-0 in the semi-final to gain promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. However, the ugly scenes erupted after the final whistle, with Umsinga fans throwing objects at the pitch, before breaking the fence and storming the pitch.
SABC Sport and iDiski Times journalist Velile Mnyandu, who covered the play-offs for SABC, described the scenes on social media, stating shots were “fired back at the security”.
“Pandemonium at Harry Gwala stadium… Msinga United supporters causing havoc. They’re shooting back at the security, putting at risk everyone at the stadium…. including fans, @SABC_Sport production and and Orbit College,” he tweeted.
