Daily Sun (April 14 2015) - ONLY MINUTES after scoring the equaliser, the Imbabala Youngsters' striker collapsed in pain.
Struck down with agonising muscle cramp and a mysterious headache, Masixole Kana was led off the field.
THEN THE CROWD TURNED THEIR ATTENTION TO THE BATTLE OF THE SANGOMAS.
Because in the stands, the two teams' opposing sangomas were going all out in a muthi match-up - and it seemed that Highland Spurs' soccer sangoma had gained the upper hand!
In the local derby between the Highland Spurs and the Imbabala at Jabavu Stadium in KwaNobuhle, Uitenhage on Sunday afternoon, the Spurs were leading 1-0 after the first half.
But when Masixole scored for Imbabala and left the pitch, Imbabala Youngsters fans gathered around sangoma Lifa ""Khandiyeza"" Noda, accusing him of using muthi to bewitch Imbabala players.
But Noda wasn't worried. Wearing a blue shirt and cap, he stood near the pitch shouting, ""Kubo, kubo! No matter who frowns on me or pulls an ugly face, I'm going to disappoint Imbabala today!""
He told Daily Sun: ""I earlier asked what colour Imbabala would be wearing so that I could work against them using my muthi.""
Xolisa Sali, manager of Imbabala, said the game was paused all the time.
""Six of our players, most of them strikers, got muscle cramp. This only happened after we scored our equaliser. We were beaten 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out. Our players cried like babies,"" he said.
Sali said they were aware that a sangoma was backing Highland Spurs. The Youngsters' twin sangomas, who had vowed their team would win, were seen leaving the field in a foul mood, wearing their izankwane.
Spurs' sangoma Noda said he had many calls from soccer teams since Sunday asking for his services to help them defeat other sangomas.
Wonder Jack, spokesman for the KwaNobuhle and Despatch Football Association, confirmed the drama.
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